Solar-powered desalination gear gives Dinagat village clean water

SAFE TO DRINK: Department of Trade and Industry Caraga Director Gay Tidalgo (fourth from right) — with Dinagat Islands Vice Gov. Nilo Demerey Jr. (left) and Verdex’s Louie Pacana (third from left) — leads the launch of solar-powered desalination equipment on Dinagat town’s island village of Cab-ilan on Feb. 9, 2022  (DTI-CARAGA PHOTO)

DINAGAT ISLANDS, Philippines — A solar-powered desalination machine, the first in the Caraga region, is now helping ease the burden of a remote village in Dinagat town in accessing clean water.

Dinagat was one of the hardest-hit areas by Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) in December last year,

The equipment was installed in Barangay Cab-ilan, an island village whose supply of potable water was difficult. Residents had to fetch water by going to another village across the sea.

This task has become more difficult as many of the villagers’ boats were destroyed by the storm.

Through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), a company engaged in renewable energy systems design, Verdex Engineering Co., lent the desalination equipment that can produce up to 1,000 liters of potable water a day.

If the solar power is complemented with another power source, the machine can generate 2,000 L of water, said Louie Pacana of Verdex Engineering Co.

The desalination operation was launched on Feb. 9. The equipment is under the custodianship of the Dinagat Islands Provincial Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said DTI Caraga Regional Director Gay Tidalgo.Some 270 families in Cab-ilan are expected to benefit from the project, he said.

—CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN 

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