The 1,400 residents of Bagongbanwa Island off Tubigon, Bohol buy potable water in the mainland at double the price. They also have to sail to the mainland for one hour, back and forth, to get the water.
The same thing goes for some 800 residents of the nearby Mocaboc island, also part of Tubigon town.
Now, both Bagongbanwa and Mocaboc islanders can save their time, money and energy in getting drinking water with the turnover of a solar-powered desalination facility built by the local government in collaboration with the humanitarian organization Tzu Chi Bohol, Power4U Solar Inc. and Jason’s Solar Water.
Tubigon Mayor William R. Jao, Tzu Chi Bohol deputy coordinator Joven Uy, Power4U Solar Inc. founder Chris Chen, Jason’s Solar Water sales manager Wayne Liang and sales engineer Dylan Wu led the turnover of the facility last 17 December.
Jao thanked Uy for helping fund and set up the desalination system during the ceremony also attended by staff of the Tubigon Engineering Department and Bagongbanwa Barangay officials.
Bagongbanwa will share the facility with Mocaboc, which is 10 minutes away by boat.
According to the mayor, when residents from Mocaboc sail to Bagongbanwa, they will bring empty water containers with them. When they return to Mocaboc, they will bring the containers filled with desalinated water from Bagongbanwa.
The system supports a hybrid mode of power.
In case there is little to no sunlight, an AC power source will keep the desalination system operating.
Meanwhile, Tzu Chi Bohol also donated four sets of computers, two for Bagongbanwa Elementary School and two for Bagongbanwa High School.
The humanitarian group has been donating refurbished computers from Taiwan for donation to different schools in Bohol to help local students be at par in digital knowhow and skills with their counterparts in urban centers.
Last 13 December, Tzu Chi Bohol volunteers also handed computers and books donated by Tzu Chi Philippines to the Cahayag Elementary School.
School officials and teachers thanked the group in a Facebook post.
“This incredible act of kindness goes beyond providing physical tools — it is an investment in the dreams and futures of our young learners. The computers will help bridge the gap in digital education, opening doors to endless opportunities, while the books will nurture their love for learning and spark creativity,” read their post.
“Your dedication to uplifting communities and transforming lives has made a lasting impact. Through your efforts, you have given our students not just the means to learn, but also the hope and encouragement to aspire for a brighter tomorrow,” they added.
Tzu Chi Bohol marked 10 years of humanitarian services in the Central Visayas island. Its volunteers started building houses and classrooms in the island after a powerful earthquake caused widespread damage.