To further strengthen the community’s disaster-preparedness efforts, the city’s first solar- powered clean water system has been inaugurated last March 25, 2018 in Del Rosario Compound, Barangay Coloong.

Expressing full support for the project include Coloong Punong Barangay Wilfredo Ramos, Valenzuela City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (VCDRRMO) Head, Dr. Arnaldo Antonio, Carlos Oppus and Paul Cabacungan from the Ateneo Innovation Center (AIC), Benedict Balderrama from the Partnership of Philippine Support Service Agencies, Inc. (PHILSSA), Maricel Genzola from the Foundation for the Development of the Urban Poor (FDUP), Erlinda Mosqueda from the Valenzuela People’s Organization Network (ValPONet), Angel Sales from TAO (Technical Assistance Organization) Pilipinas, Inc., and members of the Del Rosario Compound Homeowners Association (DRCHOA), the project’s beneficiary.

Dr. Arnaldo Antonio of VCDRRMO noted that despite being surrounded by water, the community lacks access to safe, potable water that’s why the community was identified as one of the recipients of the project in the city, together with Barangay Mapulang Lupa.

The water system will be useful during calamities and other disasters where electricity is unstable or unavailable, making access to electricity and potable water possible despite emergencies. The project was funded by FDUP and costs around Php 30,000 to Php 40,000.

TAO Pilipinas, Inc. designed and installed the handrails in the area, while the AIC installed two units of the system with each system composed of four rainwater harvesting drums, a series of filters and a UV lamp powered by the solar panels. Aside from the UV lamps, the solar panels also power the fluorescent lights and cellphone charging stations located within the facility.

In addition to training residents in disaster-preparedness, the group also taught them how to use, maintain and troubleshoot the units.

The system was first installed in Palawan in 2009 but gained traction among cities after Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) and the infamous Bohol Earthquake struck the country during the latter part of 2013.The system has already been rolled out in over 100 cities nationwide.