The only thing that matters is the support and love of one another. These collaborations, whether big or small, is a step towards things larger than victory and creates a lasting impact that cannot be measured.
In this edition of #SEAtizens, we are featuring Engr. Louie Joy Palete, a senior high school teacher from Koronadal in South Cotabato, Philippines who used his knowledge and compassion for his neighbors to create a disinfecting misting machine against COVID-19 using materials that can be found in his house.
Palete teaches science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in Koronadal National Comprehensive High School (KNCHS)-SHS in Koronadal, South Cotabato. His academic and professional background in both electronic and communications engineering became a big help for him to invent the DMM.
The machine, which he referred to as the COVID-19 disinfectant misting machine (DMM), can spray an individual who will stand in front of it from head to toe for 2.5 seconds.
“I came up with the idea to assemble the DMM because there are times that we are hesitant to use soaps and touch the faucets in public places for fear of COVID-19 contamination,” Palete said in an interview with PNA.
For his DMM, Palete used things usually found in houses such as water pumps, water containers, PVC pipes, and recycled robotic parts.
Other key materials include Arduino nano, a board used to produce a clock of precise frequency using constant voltage, and ultrasonic sensor.
“The COVID-19 disinfectant misting machine promotes physical and protective distancing. It is economical, portable, and very tactical. It can also be deployed in any place such as public market, malls, offices, hospitals, and checkpoints to help prevent the spread of the virus,” Palete added.
Palete’s DMM. Photo from Bañas-Nograles L. Shirlyn.
Palete has deployed his machine to the following: (1) Koronadal Provincial Government; (2) Department of Education – Region 12; (3) Provincial Department of Public Works and Highways (South Cotabato); (4) Philippine National Police Engineering Unit – Region 12; and (5) Provincial Hospital of South Cotabato. He was also recognized by the central office of the Department of Education (DepEd) for his innovation.
“We all need to support one another in these important times through ways we know and can. With that, through everyone, we can ultimately stop the coronavirus infection,” Palete said to Pinas Forward.
SEA Wave magazine’s SEAtizens initiative is a series of inspiring stories of people in Southeast Asia who champion the human spirit by demonstrating courage, ingenuity, generosity, and selflessness amidst the current crisis.