AFTER years of struggling to access safe and affordable drinking water especially in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Odette in 2021, residents of Barangay Pangpang, Ubay, Bohol, are finally reaping the benefits of a newly inaugurated solar-powered potable water system equipped with ultraviolet (UV) filtration technology.
The system, formally inaugurated on June 25, 2025, was implemented by Sibol ng Agham at Teknolohiya (Sibat), a non-government organization specializing in community-based renewable energy projects.
The initiative was funded by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, through Misereor, the development arm of the German Catholic Church, with support from the German Embassy in Manila.
Pangpang is a coastal barangay where most residents rely on rice farming and small-scale fishing.
Due to limited infrastructure, potable water has long been a daily struggle.
Households were forced to either buy expensive purified water or fetch it from nearby towns, making the basic need both physically and financially burdensome.
The new facility changes that.
The solar-powered water station pumps groundwater and channels it through a UV filtration system, ensuring a clean and safe supply of drinking water that helps prevent waterborne diseases.
The technology is designed to be sustainable, efficient, and resilient even during brownouts or cloudy weather conditions, thanks to its energy storage system and smart features such as Multi-Point Power Tracking (MPPT) and bifacial solar panels.
“As we all know, this project has truly extended, taking nearly three years from the time we started. It was a long and challenging journey, especially dealing with so many obstacles in the early stages,” said Sibat executive director Estrella Catarata during the turnover ceremony.
The project was carried out in partnership with the Pangpang Farmers and Fisherfolks Association (PAFFO), the Provincial Government of Bohol, and the Municipality of Ubay.
PAFFO members assisted in civil works and will take the lead in managing the system’s daily operations including maintenance and collection of minimal fees for future repairs.
Sibat provided technical training to both the association and a designated local operator to ensure long-term sustainability.
The water treatment system includes multiple filtration stages: from the addition of ferric chloride for coagulation, to multi-layer filters that remove sediments, chlorine, and organic matter.
It ends with UV disinfection and a final post-filter to ensure the water is safe for human consumption.
The facility can supply up to 400 liters of clean water per day, benefiting at least 70 households.
The project’s launch was attended by Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle "Aris" Aumentado, who praised the collaboration between the government, civil society, and the community.
“With the introduction of this solar‑powered potable water system, we not only respond to a basic need, but also invest in the health, dignity, and future of Pangpang’s people,” he said.
“Let this water system stand as a symbol of what we can achieve when the government, civil society, and the people work together for the common good,” he added.
German Embassy deputy head of Mission Mathias Kruse also addressed the community during the ceremony, acknowledging the collective effort that made the project possible.
“All of you have been hard-working to make this possible, to make this become a reality. It was worth every hour invested in it, and every cent invested in it," he said.
Sibat noted that the Pangpang facility is the first solar-powered potable water system they have completed in Bohol, with two more projects currently underway in other parts of the province.
At present, the water produced is undergoing laboratory testing to ensure it meets safety standards for drinking.
According to utility station chairman Rojelio Luminarias, residents have endured over a decade of difficulty accessing potable water.
“For years, we had to travel to the neighboring municipality just to buy gallons of drinking water, which is very expensive for us. Even water deliveries here cost around P25 per gallon due to the high markup,” Luminarias said in Cebuano.
Now, with the community-based solar-powered station in place, residents can purchase clean drinking water at only P10 per gallon dramatically reducing costs and offering much-needed convenience, he added.
Distribution for potable use will begin once the necessary sanitation permit and BIR clearance are secured. (CAV)