Solar-Powered UV Water System Brings Safe Drinking Water to Bohol Farmers

 

After years of struggling to access safe and affordable drinking water following the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Odette in 2021, residents of Brgy. Pangpang in Ubay, Bohol now benefit from a solar-powered potable water system with ultraviolet (UV) filtration.

The milestone project, led by Sibol ng Agham at Teknolohiya (SIBAT)—a non-government organization specializing in community-based renewable energy—was formally inaugurated on June 25, 2025. 

CBRES Solar-Powered Potable Water Project with a UV Filtration System ceremonial ribbon-cutting and turnover. From Left to Right: Executive Assistant to Governor Aris Aumentado Col. Arthur Evangelista, Sibol ng Agham at Teknolohiya (SIBAT) Executive Director Estrella Catarata, and Deputy Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany Mr. Mathias Kruse.

Funding was provided by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, coursed through Misereor, the relief agency of the German Catholic Church.

The initiative responds to long-standing water challenges in the coastal community, where limited infrastructure and costly commercial water make daily life difficult for farming and fishing families.

Old well that traditionally served as the local community's water source and the turned over Solar Powered Water System for potable water.

The Pangpang installation is the first solar-powered potable water system that SIBAT has completed in Bohol, with two more projects currently underway. 

It uses solar energy to pump groundwater through UV filtration, ensuring an abundant supply that is safe from harmful microorganisms and helps prevent waterborne diseases that often affect the most vulnerable.

“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,” shared SIBAT Executive Director Estrella Catarata.

Despite the hardships, she emphasized the importance of staying true to SIBAT’s mission: “We are very grateful for the trust given to us. And we always strive to make sure that the support we receive will create real benefits for communities. That is the guiding principle behind every project we carry out - wherever in the Philippines we may be.”

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 took part in the civil works and will manage the system’s daily operations, including maintenance and local fee collection for future repairs. SIBAT trained them, along with a designated operator, to ensure long-term sustainability.

During the event, Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado described the undertaking as “a testament to innovation, sustainability, and compassion.”

“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, adding, “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.”

German Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Mathias Kruse also congratulated everyone involved in the effort. “All of you have been hard-working to make this possible, to make this become a reality,” he said. “It was worth every hour invested in it, and every cent invested in it.”

The initiative offers a tangible example of how renewable energy, grassroots cooperation, and strong partnerships can help underserved communities secure vital resources and build resilience for the long term.