WATER SUPPLY. The parts of the solar-powered water system in Barangay Cabalitian Sual town, Pangasinan in an undated photo. The system was built by the Department of Public Works and Highways from June 2023 to January this year, with a PHP9.8 million funding from last year’s national budget. (Photo courtesy of DPWH Ilocos Region)
MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – A PHP9.8 million worth solar-powered water system has been benefiting residents of Barangay Cabalitian Sual town, Pangasinan.
It has a solar-powered desalination water system and a polyethylene water tank reservoir aimed at enhancing water accessibility and sustainability in the area, Department of Public Works and Highways Ilocos Region information officer Esperanza Tinaza said in an interview Wednesday.
The project, funded under the 2023 national budget, is intended 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)
