Marawi-Agus Electrical Engineering Technology Field Trip

On early morning of 13th day of August 2010, the third year students of Electrical Engineering Department who are taking up EET 159 and EET 157 once again gathered for another educational trip escorted by most generous and ever supportive teachers Prof. Patricio Ole and Prof. Redempto Madrazo. Though this time, the trip was at Mindanao State University Main at Marawi City to Agus IV, VI and VII. Students packed up all the necessary things needed in the trip and knowing it was Ramadan time, everybody brought their own packed lunch to avoid being rude eating in front of all Muslim brothers and sisters in their sacred time. Everything’s ready and of we go.



On the way to Marawi City, several institution were passed along the the way including Overton Substation, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Philippines Science High School, Agus IV gate – in which later will be visited – and many others. The first stop was Mindanao State University which was guided by none other than Prof. Tampong. He introduces the weather devices used in the institution at MSU-PAGASA AGROMET OFFICE. Then after orientation and discussion about all those weather devices, Prof. Tampong Introduces the Renewable Energy that was present in their institution at MSU-AFFILIATED RENEWABLE ENERGY CENTER. Various energy cultivation devices are present such us Biogas, Gacifier, Mechanical Water Pumping powered by wind energy, Solar Water Heater, Solar Thermal Energy device, and Solar Panels. Each of those devices are thoroughly explained and discussed by Prof. Tampong which enriched our bright and curious mind with new knowledge and ideas in our field of study and work. After long hours of discussion, each of our stomach went rumbling – we all know what it means, right?.

We took our lunch at one of the barbeque house in MSU-main. Much to my surprise I thought it was sort of taboo to eat during Ramadan but it wasn’t. We enjoyed our lunch and eat as much as we can together with some Muslim brothers who they said they passed on fasting during Ramadan instead eating with all their might. Then we took a little time visiting a prestigious and very vintage museum in MSU containing antique relics of the Filipino Muslim's precious history – on and before Spanish Occupation and how they fight for their freedom. It also shows their traditional culture practices as Muslim.



Then we leave for Agus dam for short peek and picture taking and to Agus IV tunnel power plant as I call it, the journey to the plant itself was an extraordinary adventure like we saw in a movie in which we enjoyed a lot. Short discussion happened at the control room of plant headed by Mr. Jefferson Binario. He gave a trivia along his discussion that the tunnel was a 150 ft from the ground in which they only pump for air coming from above the ground. This idea alone gave us a short moment of chill. After the short discussion, we spend our short precious time in taking as many pictures as we can until the very last minute of remaining time and of we go.



Refusing to leave the tunnel power plant, but we have no choice but to bid farewell to the plant but excitement wasn’t ended there. Prof. Patricio Ole said that after Agus IV, we will set out to Agus VI and VII, the site and location of the magnificent Maria Christina Falls. Though Agus VII the first stop was not the place where we can find the falls but its on Agus VI. In Agus VI, Engr. Lacson Enriquez gave us a tour of the site and brought us to control room in which he delivered again a short orientation and discussion about the site. Excerpt from his discussion he said that the safe condition of water level in the plant is 34 meters above sea level and the reason why there's a scheduled brownout last El Niño was due to the critical water level of the plant.



Regardless of our hesitant feeling, its time to end the trip by returning to our designated home leaving the experience together with college friends full of memories to be cherished for a lifetime.