Air becomes water thru new tech deployed in remote village in Masbate

A community in Masbate, which used to struggle to get clean drinking water, will now be able to make it from the air.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) inspected the Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) subproject in Bgy. Gilotongan Island in Cawayan, Masbate, which showcased the ability to turn humidity in the air into drinking water.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the project is part of the agency’s Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI- CIDSS) program.

Funded by the World Bank (WB), this project aims to address the community’s problem in accessing potable water, according to the DSWD.

“Tinulungan sila ng departamento na ikabit itong air-to-water system, kung saan hinahango yung humidity o yung hangin at ginagawang tubig. The government is preparing for El Niño for a long time. Isa ‘to dun sa mga solusyon natin. Sabi ko nga, may iba tayong community – desalination naman yung pinili nila,” Gatchalian said.

Out of the total cost of the project at P19 million, more than P18 million was a grant from the World Bank, Gatchalian added.

According to Cawayan Mayor Edgar Condor, the facility would help almost 7,000 residents of Bgy. Gilotongan who previously have to spend more on drinking water, or fetch water from deep wells.

“Yung problema namin dito is the potable water, dito po sa Barangay  Gilotongan – mahirap sila sa tubig,”  Condor said.

Several residents of said Barangay told ABS-CBN News that it has been very difficult.

DSWD said the AWG project can produce 1,000 liters of drinking water per day, just enough to supply the needs of the community.

According to DSWD, other fourth and fifth-class municipalities can also request the same program, depending on the needs of its community.