One Meralco Foundation, the corporate social development arm of the Manny V. Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has brought solar technology to an underserved community’s water system, an essential tool in improving their health, socioeconomic outcomes and water security.

Barangay Guinsang-an, comprising of many farmers, struggled with access to clean and reliable water for years and had to source their water through deep wells. To address this, barangay officials institutionalized their own Barangay Water System Association (BAWASA) so residents can have easier access to water through tap. But because it needs electricity to run, the barangay — with the cooperation of paying households — has to shoulder the electric bill.

Since many of the households in the barangay are low-income, there are times when they cannot afford to pay their share. This forces the barangay officials to dip into their funds originally allocated for social services to keep the water flowing.

Despite the presence of a water system in their community, blackouts sometimes occur. Since BAWASA relied solely on electricity from the grid to run, the water supply was also cut off during power outages.

“’Pag brownout, actually wala gid kami sang tubig nga kuhaan. Tanan diri walang ligo, wala sang pang-ano sa sapat (We don’t have water during power outages. This meant residents can’t take a bath, there was no water for the animals),” shared Barangay Kagawad Cris Valencia, who is also the BAWASA administrator.

To help address these challenges, OMF energized the barangay’s water system using solar photovoltaic (PV) technology through its Water Access Electrification Program.

Now that it is energized, residents are glad that they can still bathe, wash clothes, or collect water for their plants and farm animals even during power outages. This also opens opportunities for some households to start businesses which require reliable water flow, such as a carinderia (food stall). Having a renewable source of energy is also seen to reduce the amount residents need to pay for water expenses so they can save more. Moreover, the barangay is hopeful that it can finally use the funds for social services to improve the lives of those in the community, including expanding water pipelines to other nearby puroks so more residents have access to safe and reliable water.