The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) visited Zapatos Island in Balud, Masbate on May 15, 2025 to assess the needs of the community and explore potential implementation of Air-to-Water (AWT) technology as part of emergency response and disaster preparedness.

The Air-to-Water technology which generates clean drinking water from the humidity in the air has been used by North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in areas with water scarcity.

The DSWD Team, led by Undersecretary for Disaster Response Management Group Diana Rose S. Cajipe and KALAHI-CIDSS National Program Manager Atty. Bernadette A. Mapue-Joaquin, joined by DSWD FOV Regional Director Norman S. Laurio, visited Zapatos Island to assess the community’s needs and evaluate the feasibility of deploying AWT as part of the department’s broader efforts in emergency response and disaster preparedness thru focus group discussions with the community and the local heads.

Air-to-Water technology, which extracts drinking water from humidity in the air, has previously been utilized by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in regions experiencing severe water scarcity.

If implemented, it could offer a game-changing solution for island communities like Zapatos, where access to potable water remains a daily challenge.

Joining the team were key representatives from the Manila Water Foundation, including OIC Section Head for Integrated WASH John Jasper Daguigan and Innovations Program Manager Pauline Angela Reyes.

The group held focus group discussions with community volunteers, barangay officials, and municipal leaders to gain deeper insight into the water issues faced by residents.

The Department is looking for a potential area for pilot implementation through the following criteria: 1) Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP) area with high stunting rate, 2) poverty incidence, 3) limited water access, 4) presence of KALAHI-CIDSS evacuation centers, 5) disaster vulnerability, and 6) island municipality.

DSWD also considers adding AWT in the KALAHI-CIDSS menu of sub-projects that can be proposed and implemented by communities where access to clean and safe drinking water remains difficult.

Regional Director Norman S. Laurio highlighted that the Field Office is committed to assisting communities with limited access to water as well as supportive of Secretary Rex Gatchalian’s initiative.

“Visiting Barangay Sapatos provided insights about the community’s struggles to obtain safe drinking water. Exploring sustainable solutions, such as Air-to-Water technology can substantially help the most isolated communities acquire the basic necessity, especially during disasters and emergencies,” he said.

The technology was first implemented in Camarines Sur province after the onslaught of Tropical Storm Kristine in October 2024 which provides safe drinking water in areas with limited access to produce clean water.

To further learn how it works, the DSWD officials and Manila Water Foundation have also visited Barangay Ponong in Magarao, Camarines Sur on February 21, 2025 for the orientation and demonstration of the technology.