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[av_heading heading=’URBAN FARMER | Solar-powered water pumping system can benefit remote communities’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY JULIO P. YAP JR.
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Monday, May 15, 2017
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THE new solar-powered water supply system in Barangay Oringao, Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental is expected to improve the lives of the local residents, as well as boost their agricultural productivity.
The facility, which is composed of a solar-powered submersible pump system that is energized by 30 solar panels, can generate enough water to supply the needs of about 200 households or at least 1,000 individuals in Barangay Oringao.
The project, under the Bottom-up-Budgeting, is funded by the Department of Interior and Local Government, with a counter funding provided the local government unit of Kabankalan City, is covered by the SALINTUBIG or the Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig Sa Lahat Program, in collaboration with the National Anti-Poverty Commission.
It was implemented by the Kabankalan city government and constructed by RU Foundry and Machine Shop Corporation (RUFMSC) of Bacolod City.
With the completion and recent inauguration of the project, the local residents will no longer have to suffer walking a long way just to fetch water or dig for wells to have water for their families.
The solar-powered water supply system will be a vital contributor for the development of the local residents, as well as the communities in the area.
It was learned that the water project was conceptualized way back in 2014 but was only implemented in 2016, and eventually completed in 2017 through the technology of RUFMSC which was seen to be more feasible and economical by harnessing solar power.
Aside from providing potable water supply, the facility is expected to propel the livelihood opportunities in the barangay, like backyard swine raising and vegetable gardening, which were neglected or totally not feasible in the area due to non-availability of enough water.
According to Aladino “Nonoy” Moraca of RUFMSC and executive director of Ecological and Agricultural Development Foundation, Inc. (EcoAgri), the utilization of the solar pumping system in Barangay Oringao could enhance individual and village-level actions in the promotion and implementation of organic farming to attain food and environmental security.
Innovations like this one could create local opportunities and viable enterprises towards attaining self-reliant communities.
The Oringao solar-powered water facility, which is composed mainly of solar panels, submersible pump installed in a spring box, two reservoirs with a capacity of 30,000 liters each, a pressure break tank, and 15 tap stands, can now provide water for the local residents.
The facility is capable of pumping 60,000 liters per day, up to its maximum of 77,760 liters – more than enough to supply the water needs of the residents, as well as providing water for maintaining their backyard industries.
The construction of the solar-powered water facility is one of the efforts of RU Foundry and Machine Shop Corporation towards the protection and conservation of the environment andsafety of the people and other living organisms.
Moraca says that environment-friendly facilities like the Barangay Oringao solar pump water system project will make the communities a better place to live, at the same time, help the residents to become productive and self-reliant. (jaypeeyap@ymail.com/PN)
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