The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Manila Water Foundation, Inc. have joined hands to explore the use of Air-to-Water Technology (AWT) in generating potable water for communities in need under the agency’s Kapit-Bisig-Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS).
“It’s a sustainable solution. Air-to-water technology can operate even in off-grid locations using solar, hybrid, or traditional power sources. It reduces reliance on single-use plastics, creates local livelihood opportunities, and most importantly, has the potential to generate income at the community level,” DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said in a meeting on Monday (April 14) with Manila Water Foundation, Inc. Executive Director Reginald Andal.
Through the AWT, safe drinking water is generated from drawing humidity from the air. This technology has been employed by the North Atlantic Treaty Organizations (NATO) in emergency operations, as well as in global deployments to demonstrate its effectiveness in disaster operations.
Secretary Gatchalian said the initiative is part of the Department’s broader thrust to enhance community resilience and disaster preparedness, particularly in areas frequently experiencing water scarcity.
The DSWD is exploring the AWT as a potential addition to the menu of sub-projects that may be funded through the KALAHI-CIDSS program, particularly in water-scarce communities where access to clean and safe drinking water remains a challenge.
The Department is also looking at bringing the technology to high-risk areas with limited water supplies, such as Masbate, Romblon, Samar, Cebu, and Mindoro.
According to the DSWD chief, exploring this technology is important as potable water is a basic and crucial need, especially in times of disasters.
Bringing this sustainable technique to the communities at risk is supportive of the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 and contributory to the country’s commitment to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UN-SDG) of achieving universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water.
The KALAHI-CIDSS is the Philippines’ community driven development (CDD) project implemented by the DSWD, which empowers communities in poor localities in identifying their needs, planning for their development projects, as well as implementing them.
Under the program, the communities may choose from a menu of development projects which are responsive to their needs like water system projects, road improvements, and health centers, among others. (GDVF)