THE soon-to-be erected wind-solar powered battery system and water project initiated by Sibol ng Agham at Teknolohiya Inc. (Sibat) in cooperation with Misereor is expected to break the cycle of poverty and water inadequacy in barangay San Jose, Mabini, Bohol.
“Today marks a milestone. We are not only breaking ground but also breaking the cycle of water scarcity that has hindered our growth for decades,” Mayor Ongie Bernales-Lim of Mabini said in her message.
This came after the groundbreaking of the said project here and barangay Montesuerte, Carmen town, harnessing the renewable energy technology, specifically Small Wind Turbine utilized in to meet the community’s needs for irrigation, potable water, and household lighting.
“It will generate a minimum of 5kW power to pump and disinfect at least 125 liters of water per person per day, satisfy irrigation requirements and provide lighting for up to three bulbs in each household,” according to SIBAT’s press statement.
Mayor Conchita Toribio Delos Reyes of Carmen was quoted as saying that “Today, we lay the foundation for not just infrastructure but hope. Our partnership with key environmental and technological organizations will lead Carmen into a new era of progress”
Aside from Misereor, various organizations such as GlobalGiving, Anakata Wind Power Resources and the Centre for Neighbourhood Studies also collaborated with SIBAT.
The provincial government thru Gov. Aumentado’s message intends to continue the partnership with SIBAT on these projects that can provide the barangay folks with cheap and potable water supply. It said it welcomes the said undertaking to serve as example to meet the demands of developing community and manage the environment responsibly. The message was delivered by the governor’s executive assistant Bebot Sumapong, the former Vice-Mayor of Loboc town.
San Jose barangay chairman Raymund Acuram said that the project when realized is a big help for the barangay folks since they have been suffering from lack of potable water and power energy. He thanked the SIBAT and its allied organization for choosing San Jose as one of the recipients of the project.
The water and power project in San Jose will benefit some 47 members of the Nagkahiusang Mag-uuma sa San Jose (NAMASAJO).
The design of the said project is solar water pumping for irrigation for about 32 hectares of ricefields and crops and potable water of 125 liter per day per capita.
The source will be deep well for underground water to be extracted with the use of 4 horse power submersible pump with solar charge controller.
If realized, the water is considered under level II distribution system equipped with UV disinfection systems. (rvo)
