A young and curious boy at one of the flood-prone areas in Metro Manila, Philippines.
THE FLOOD & THE SOLUTION: THE TRIKE THAT CAN MAKE A CHANGE
“Na recall ko yung calamity na nangyari sa amin way back 5 years ago sa typhoon Pedring. Na sana nuon meron ganyan so that it is easy for us to rescue the people there in Sitio Pulo.”
(“I recall the calamity that happened to us way back 5 years ago during typhoon Nesat. How I wish that we have this kind of vehicle even before so that it is easy for us to rescue the people in the town of Pulo.”)
- Maria Editha Sagun
Lupon Kalihim/ Secretary
Barangay Tanza in Navotas City, Philippines
The Philippines, being located at the Pacific Typhoon Belt is visited by an average of 20 typhoons each year. And according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, we have about 26,000 small communities called Barangays, which are considered as flood-prone areas.
At one of the flood-prone areas or barangay in Metro Manila, Philippines.
Photo Credit: Mr. Manny Palmero of ABS-CBN
Because of this and the devastating result of Typhoon Haiyan, a young Filipino innovation and technology development company thought about a solution that can help the most flood-prone areas in the country. For this reason, H2O Technologies Inc. started to work on the H2O Salamander.
The H2O Salamander is an amphibious multi-utility trike. It’s an alternative mode of transport that can maneuver in both land and in floodwaters. This trike can be used as a cost-effective, fuel-efficient, and environment-friendly solution to transportation as a security patrol, in distributing relief goods, responding to emergencies and disasters, and more importantly in bringing people to a safer place in flood-prone towns.
We already found a solution but we need the help of the community and other changemakers to bring five hundred (500) units of the H2O Salamander to the most flood-prone towns in the Philippines through the Philippine Red Cross.
WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP
Since we’re just a young and small start-up innovation and technology development company, we also have a limited resource. After introducing the H2O Salamander last January 23, 2015 and after being tested and reviewed as a capable vehicle that can help communities especially during flooding and emergency response, still we didn’t get the support needed from some government agencies and private sectors.
Despite this challenge, we are still hopeful to bring this project to our communities through the help and support of other individuals and groups who want to make a change.
Besides the group behind H2O Technologies Inc., we are encouraged that other people such as social advocates, start-up entrepreneurs and artists are getting involved in collaborating and helping us to get the vision for the H2O Salamander going. And we are excited to bring this to our local and international community who has the same goal and passion in helping the flood-prone areas in the Philippines.
We need more support from other heroes. We need your help in bringing this vision of change to reality.
YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS
“If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community of changemakers and heroes to bring the units of the H2O Salamanders to our barangays.”
Any help counts. And anyone can support and join the community for “Mobility for Change”. From individuals to students, from changemakers to social advocates, from our beloved Oversees Filipino Workers to our international friends, and to families, organizations and companies, we can all be heroes and be part of change.
Support and help us reach our goal in bringing the H2O Salamander to our Barangays. Every support adds up.
As a way of thanking you…
With each of your support to this project, we are including rewards that we hope can make you feel how much we appreciate you and value your help to get this vision going.
With every support, we made sure to give back something worthwhile. Rewards that will fit a hero, a changemaker.
Our rewards include the following:
- Recognition at the website of H2O Salamander’s Vision Wall
- Limited Edition “Mobility for Change: The H2O Salamander’s” dry cool Jersey Shirt
- H2O Salamander ® Portable Rechargeable LED Lantern Lighting with Power Bank
- H2O Salamander 58 pieces Emergency & Survival Kits in a waterproof bag
- Your LOGO on one of the 500 units of H2O Salamander trikes that’s going to be donated to the Philippine Red Cross
*Kindly see our Rewards section for the specific rewards that you’ll get for each support option.
We thank you for supporting this project and our community. With your help, we can make a more improved version of the H2O Salamander and have these vehicles available through the Philippine Red Cross, bringing them closer to communities that need them the most.
“Ah bilang team leader, yung pagkakita ko sa porma ng sasakyan niyo siguro tamang tama lang sa amin yan lalo na kung bumabaha sa lugar ng Tanza. Ah kailangan na kailangan naming yan yung mga ganyan na sasakyan. Pang ronda, pang responde, at sa madami pang bagay.”
(“As a team leader, when I saw your vehicle I thought it’s what our area needs especially when it’s starting to flood here in Tanza. We really need that kind of trike as a means to patrol and respond, and a lot more.”)
- Rolando Bermejo
Barangay Tanod/ Team Leader
Barangay Tanza in Navotas City, Philippines
Together with the Philippine Red Cross, we seek your support in raising our funding goal that will enable us to build and donate 500 units of the H2O Salamander. The sooner that we can raise the support needed, the closer that we can have them in our flood-prone communities.
MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE H2O SALAMANDER
The manufacturing model of the improved version of the H2O Salamander. It shall be 8 inches wider and 3 inches longer and has a more aerodynamic features than the Prototype Model.
This amphibious petrol-powered trike (300cc Gasoline Model) in Matte White Finish can sit up to 4 to 6 people, and comes with 6 Emergency Life Vests and 2 Retractable Aluminum Oars.
YOUR SUPPORT CAN MAKE A
DIFFERENCE!
Please share the good news and let your social networks (your family, friends and especially those who would want to make a change) about our campaign.
MORE INFORMATION:
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WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT THE H2O SALAMANDER
“We hope the Salamander will be a huge success not only in the Philippines but also around the world. Not only does it have the ability to save lives, it also has the potential to generate jobs for Filipino workers. Let's help make it happen.”
– Vernon B. Sarne (BBC Top Gear Philippines)
“The Philippines is visited by approximately 19 storms a year – some more devastating than others. While an amphibious vehicle cannot solve our country's perennial flooding problem, it can help save lives during floods and can be of help during relief operations.”
– Lara Tan (CNN Philippines)
“That Salamander is flexible enough to serve two different purposes – daily transport and emergency rescue – makes it cost-effective. Barangays would not have to shell out money for rescue vehicles potentially used only a few days out of the year.”
– Ezra Ferraz (Rappler)
“Well, it seems that H2O Technologies is ready for primetime with the launch of the Salamander. With floods becoming a mainstay, it’s amazing to see what the Filipino inventive spirit can do. It’s certainly alive and well, trying to make sense and find practical solutions to problems. And products such as the H2O Salamander are certainly leading the charge.”
– Ulysses Ang (The Philippine Star)
More about the H2O Salamander on CNN Drive