Solar water system for coco farmers

WATER PUMP No more waiting for hours to draw potable water. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Six kilometers within the permanent danger zone at the foot of the scenic but deadly Mayon Volcano, 300 households from Barangay Quirangay in the municipality of Camalig, Albay, used to rely on a single water source, with family members lining up for four hours to fetch potable water. Most of them were school-age kids of coconut farmers who were tasked to fill up four 20-gallon containers. And they were often late for school.

That was until D&L Industries’ Chemrez Technologies, in partnership with essential oil company doTerraInternational, built for the community its own solar-powered potable water distribution system.

The multi-million-peso water project now has 12 tap stands operated by a solar-powered pump. The Lao Foundation and the Bantonan Community Development Cooperative mapped out sustainable projects for the residents.

With the success of the pilot project, plans are underway to replicate this in other areas where coconut farming communities stand to benefit.

Chemrez runs the country’s first continuous coco biodiesel plant, and the leading manufacturer of sustainable integrated coco oleo chemical-based specialty ingredients, powder coatings and resins.

The Lao Foundation also offers scholarships to deserving students, in partnership with Technical Vocational schools in the area. It currently has 139 technical-vocational graduates from Don Bosco Legaspi, Don Bosco Naga, and DualTech Canlubang. They are given job opportunities within the D&L group.