By William B. Depasupil – TheManilaTimes
BARANGAY SAN ISIDRO, DAVAO REGION — Government officials and representatives of the Crentsworth Foundation conducted the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday for the first solar-powered, pipe-borne water system under a new regional clean-water initiative aimed at supporting communities affected by last month’s hurricane.
The ceremony took place in Barangay San Isidro, one of the worst-hit areas that has faced weeks of unstable water access. Attendees included representatives from the NWRB, DENR, DOLE, DOH, local government units, and technical teams overseeing the project.
Officials confirmed that the installation will include:
- A solar-powered pumping and filtration station
- A reinforced elevated water reservoir
- Primary distribution pipelines reaching public facilities and households
- A community operations and maintenance training program
“Today marks the start of a long-term solution to water instability in Southern Mindanao,” an NWRB official said during the ceremony.
“The focus is to build infrastructure that can withstand future storms and function independently of the grid.”
Although Mr. Dylan Crentsworth did not attend due to ongoing medical supervision at SPMC, a foundation representative reiterated the organization’s commitment to the project.
“Mr. Crentsworth has been closely updated on the progress. The foundation will continue supporting this project through funding, technical procurement, and community training initiatives,” the spokesperson said.
Community Reaction
Local residents welcomed the groundbreaking with optimism, describing it as the first tangible sign of recovery since the hurricane.
“What matters is that clean water is finally coming,” said a resident whose home was damaged in the storm.
However, some remain cautious, noting that past infrastructure programs in the region have stalled midway.
“People hope this one won’t be delayed or abandoned,” a barangay council member said.
“The involvement of private partners gives us some confidence, but timelines must be followed.”
Project Timeline and Next Steps
Construction is expected to begin immediately, with additional installation sites planned pending environmental and technical assessments. Officials stated that further updates on progress and expansion locations will be released in the coming weeks.
The project is part of a broader regional strategy to modernize water access, strengthen disaster resilience, and reduce health risks tied to contaminated water sources.
Southern Mindanao remains under heightened monitoring as recovery operations continue across multiple storm-affected communities.