By Hilda Austria
MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – Residents of Barangay Cabalitian in Sual town, Pangasinan, are benefiting from a solar-powered water system worth PHP9.8 million.
According to Esperanza Tinaza, the information officer of the Department of Public Works and Highways Ilocos Region, the system includes a solar-powered desalination water system and a polyethylene water tank reservoir. This initiative aims to enhance water accessibility and sustainability in the area.
Funded through the 2023 national budget, the project is designed to improve water accessibility for households.
Barangay Cabalitian in Sual town, Pangasinan is an isolated island community with over 300 households.
It sources water supply from deep well and from private entities.
“The use of a solar-powered water system demonstrates the proactive approach in delivering one of the basic human needs, which is water, to the people in Barangay Cabalitian, Sual, Pangasinan,” Tinaza said.
The project was started in June 2023 and completed on Jan. 19 this year.
Tinaza said the water system’s tank could hold 20,000 liters of water, which gets its supply underground through a 24-panel solar-powered system.
“Moving from the old-style water supply systems to today’s solar-powered water systems, many benefits are attained such as reduction in electricity consumption and being more environmental friendly,” she said.
Tinaza said the bountiful sunlight in the province is complementary to the project. (PNA)
