The Departments of Civil and Mechanical Engineering officially turned over the “Movabins” to Barangay Tingub on April 24, 2025 (see photos below), as part of the University of San Carlos’ ongoing commitment to community service.

The “Movabin” is a cylindrical dumper with wheels and a handle (see below), allowing residents to transport waste even through narrow passageways. This was the proposed solution of the winning team of the 2024 Metro Cebu River Scan Challenge, designed to address the challenge of collecting garbage from homes far from designated collection points.

Earlier this year, the Civil Engineering department initiated a donation drive and students from USC’s School of Engineering gave their generous contribution to finance the fabrication of the movabins. Once the budget was secured, student volunteers from the ME Council, including Airam Gian Navasques, Kristin Anne Margarethe Allanaraiz, Celso Raphael Seno, Alyssa Tutor, and Ia Nikka Paclibar, led the fabrication of the movabins. They were assisted by the volunteers from the CE Council Catherine Aquino, Aerin Meg Dela Cruz, and Christian Paol Dinopol.

Before the handover, USC and Barangay Tingub, headed by Hon. Mario Bihag, formalized their partnership by signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). The MOA outlines the purpose and responsibilities of each party in ensuring the sustainability and proper use of the movabins. This partnership is part of USC’s Community Extension Services (CES). 

Hon. Mario Bihag expressed his gratitude to USC for stepping in to help with the barangay’s issues. He emphasized that this project is not just a one-time donation, but the start of a continuing partnership between the University and the local government.

After the MOA signing, the team personally handed over the Movabins to the leaders of two sitios within Brgy. Tingub (see below). The sitio leaders gratefully accepted and committed to use the equipment to improve waste collection and cleanliness in their respective areas.

The activity was attended by faculty members from both departments. From Civil Engineering: Engr. Janice B. Jamora (Chairperson), Engr. Monica Ann Louise J. Intong (Asst. Chairperson), Engr. Diosfer L. Ledesma (CES Representative), and Engr. Jasmine Nasara. From Mechanical Engineering: Engr. Rab Azel Barredo, Engr. Harold Papaya, Engr. Ronald Francis Bacor, and Engr. Jose Arvin Tordillo. Also, the Dutch professors Prof. Rick Heikoop and Prof. Jeanine Klinkenberg, along with CES student volunteers from both CE and ME Councils. Denzel Montuya is also one of the original members of last year’s winning team who joined the activity.

Thanks to the joint efforts of USC’s Civil and Mechanical Engineering Departments, a small but meaningful step has been taken toward a cleaner Butuanon River and a more sustainable Cebu.

With reporting from Engr. Monica Ann Louise Intong, Department of Civil Engineering