Sagay Water District (SWD) general manager, Engr. Manfred M. Fuentesfina, led the recent inauguration of a 12 ton per day seawater desalination reverse osmosis system refilling station in Barangay Molocaboc, Sagay City.
A project of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), through Sagay City government, and funded through the Bottom-Up Budgeting (BuB), is intended to solve the local water shortage.
Sagay City Mayor Alfredo Marañon III said having a potable water supply was fulfillment of a long-term dream, pointing out, during summer months, there is difficulty in water collection.
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental 2nd District Rep. Leo Rafael Cueva said by establishing basic needs, naming water and electricity, it has the potential of turning the barangay into a “potential eco-tourism destination.”

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, who is originally from Sagay City, said the project would make the lives of Barangay Molocaboc residents much better. She also called the project a way of fulfilling corporate social responsibility and giving back to the people what they earned.
Barangay Molocaboc Captain Antonio Pasaylo said, “Water is life,” adding, “This facility will greatly improve health and sanitation of every household in the community especially personal hygiene.”
The project, which costs P4 million, converts seawater into potable water and has a capacity of producing 600 containers of purified drinking water per day.
SWD will also be providing free water for the faculty and students of the Molocaboc Integrated School./WDJ