CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Mimaropa recently turned over a solar-powered water generation facility to the indigenous people (IP) community in Sitio Sugod, Barangay Pinamihagan in the municipality of San Jose in Romblon.

This project marks a crucial step in addressing the enduring water scarcity issues faced by the IP community.

The facility was established through the collaborative efforts between the DOST and the local government unit (LGU) of San Jose, which features a water pump powered by solar energy. 

In a statement, DOST said that the water is drawn from a deep well source located in another sitio and pumped into 12,000-liter capacity storage tanks near the IP community. From there, the water is distributed directly to households through a network of pipes. 

The solar-powered water pumping system and the primary pipes of the distribution system is DOST’s counterpart while the secondary pipes going directly to households are LGU’s counterpart.

The intervention has significantly alleviated the burden of the IP community, eliminating the need for long-distance walks to fetch water. This improvement not only enhances their quality of life but also increases their productivity by allowing them to allocate time to more economically productive activities. 

The domestic water facility is intended for various household purposes, including cleaning, bathing, laundry, toileting, and backyard gardening, all aimed at enhancing IP’s hygiene and way of life.

The ceremonial turnover signifies the culmination of collaborative efforts aimed at improving the well-being and livelihoods of the community.

Through sustainable solutions and community partnerships, DOST Mimaropa and the local government of San Jose continue to make meaningful strides towards addressing water poverty and empowering marginalized communities in Romblon. (GATS/PIA MIMAROPA/DOST)

BANNER PHOTO COURTESY OF DOST ROMBLON