Brgy. Molobolo’s path to clean water: A community-managed initiative against scarcity

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Water collection was both a household concern and a shared community responsibility in Brgy. Molobolo in the Municipality of Cauayan, Negros Occidental. Parents and children needed to walk thirty minutes and wait at least two hours to fill their water containers from a water source in their barangay, which would not always cover all their daily water needs.

This water issue forced residents to conserve water whenever possible, but even that was not always sufficient. Water was a daily struggle, and each night, they went to bed hoping they could find enough for the next day.

This was the reality for Brgy. Molobolo residents until 2021, when the Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation, Inc. (AIDFI) implemented a clean water access project with a financial grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF).

Residents of Brgy. Molobolo, together with representatives of the Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation, Inc. (AIDFI) and The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF), stand in front of the Agos Water Tank

How water started flowing in Brgy. Molobolo

For Brgy. Molobolo, AIDFI used a gravity-fed water system to bring water closer to residents. The project connected a pipeline from the elevated water source, allowing the water to flow down to shared tapstands within the community and helping eliminate the need for a half-hour walk and two-hour wait at the stream. Additionally, water filters are provided to households to block debris and prevent bacteria from passing through.

Access to water has brought comfort to the residents. No longer burdened by the physically demanding task of water collection, they can enjoy the safety and security of having water at their doorstep.

The availability of safe water has also positively impacted community programs, including feeding programs that improve residents' health and nutrition. Convenient access to safe water reduces the health risks associated with collecting and consuming water from distant and potentially contaminated sources. This improvement in water accessibility has enhanced their quality of life and fostered a sense of community well-being and progress.

“Ngayon, sa bahay na lang kami naghihintay. May schedule pero sufficient talaga yung tubig. Hindi na kami mahirapan na [pumila] at pumunta sa malayo para mag-igib [ng tubig],” Myren Edoria, a resident of Brgy. Molobolo, said. (Now, we only wait in our home. There is a schedule, but this time the supply of water is sufficient. We don’t need to fall in line and go to faraway places just to collect water.)

From project beneficiaries to water stewards

The barangay captain of Brgy. Molobolo has advocated for their community to gain access to safe water. His dedication to securing water access and security for the community led him to apply for the Agos Project with TCCF and AIDFI in the first place. This initiative, aligning with the community's urgent need for clean water, garnered immediate and enthusiastic support from the residents.

Inspired by their barangay captain's leadership, the residents have transformed that passion into proactive stewardship, taking responsibility for protecting and managing their water resources to ensure the sustainability of the project's benefits for future generations.

Brgy. Molobolo residents with representatives of the AIDFI and TCCF at the successful handover 

of the Agos Project

They formed an association and created a schedule system for everyone in the barangay to access clean water. They also coordinate with local partners to test and ensure the water's safety. To secure their water source, they implement policies protecting it from potential threats.

Clean and safe water for future generations

As the primary philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company, The Coca-Cola Foundation aims to support local and global changemakers leaving a measurable and lasting impact in areas around the world by investing in transformative ideas and institutions that address some of the most pressing global challenges.

For more information on the initiatives of The Coca-Cola Foundation, visit the company’s social media channels and its website

Southeast Asia's Largest Solar Project Inaugurated in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental

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Manila, Philippines – Helios Solar Energy Corp. (“Helios”) has today inaugurated its 132.5-megawatt (“MW”) solar generation facility in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental. 

The project is Southeast Asia’s largest solar project, developed through a partnership between Gregorio Araneta, Inc. (“GAI”) and Soleq. Soleq is the market leader in the solar PV industry in the Philippines and one of Southeast Asia’s largest solar independent power producers. 

This project follows the partnership’s first solar project, a 30 MW solar generation facility in Ormoc, Leyte, which was commissioned in April 2015.

The first of its size in Southeast Asia, the project has contributed significant value and opportunities to communities in Negros Occidental having employed over 2,000 local people during the construction phase. Estimated that the project will produce 188,500 MWh of solar power per year, or enough to power an estimated 167,526 households, save 177.7 million liters of water, and lower carbon emissions by 94,627 tones per year (equivalent of 10 years of carbon sequestered by planting 2.4 million trees). 

“We are pleased to launch this ambitious project which underlies our conviction to support the country’s shift to more renewable energy. This project also demonstrates our country’s ability to develop world-class renewable energy projects and establishes the Philippines’ foothold as a frontrunner in renewable energy,” said Gregorio Araneta III, Helios Chairman.

About GAI

GAI is a Philippine holding company engaged in real estate, transportation, telecommunication, security and protection services, environmental protection services, oil/petroleum storage facilities and project management. The company continues to grow and is now focusing mainly on real estate investment and development, as well as power generation through its subsidiaries.

About Soleq

Soleq is one of Southeast Asia’s largest solar independent power producers. Soleq has successfully constructed and commissioned 13 projects across Thailand and the Philippines, and has a significant development portfolio. Soleq is an Equis invested platform. 

About Equis

Founded and headquartered in Singapore, Equis is Asia’s largest independent renewable energy developer and investor. Equis is also Asia’s largest independent energy and infrastructure fund manager. With more than US$2.7 billion of funds under management, Equis and its invested platforms employ over 500 professionals across thirteen (13) Asian offices in Manila, Aomori, Bangalore, Bangkok, Beijing, Brisbane, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kasama, New Delhi, Singapore, Taipei and Tokyo.

Masskara Festival - Bacolod City, The City of Smile

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One of my joy trips is a very memorable– experiencing the Masskara Festival! Year 2009 I went to the City of Smile, the most festival in Bacolod City, capital city of Negros Occidental.

The City of Smiles, the Bacolod, is proud of their culture as being strong willed with a warm heart and sweet. Joyful Bacolod people from all walks of life trooping the streets in the celebration the festivities. Tourists, local and foreigners were everywhere in the streets to witness the colorful events.

You’ll see colorful – masked dancers in the street dance competition, with beautiful design mask and colorful costumes. They call this mardi-gras parade. The street dance competition was held October 16 and 17, 2009 along the streets of Araneta going to the Plaza where the finale performance was held.

We went to the San Sebastian Cathedral, just across the Plaza. Festivities are really great with food fairs, mask-making contests, brass band competitions. Well known celebrities join festivities programs. There are drinking and eating contests and many trade fairs and exhibits.

San Sebastian Cathedral

Yearly Masskara festival is celebrated every third weekend of October because , it was October 19 was the city’s charter inauguration anniversary.

This beautiful place, Bacolod, also boasts of antique houses, old churches that dates back during the Spanish time and other cultural sites. It’s really a joyful to see shops with their great products especially arts, colorful masks and paintings and many more.

 

I was really happy then, being in a wonderful beautiful place - Bacolod, the City of Smile. :)