Water and the difference a day makes

MANILA, Philippines - Who knew that a 200-year-old water pumping technology could still be used in 2013 to bring safe drinking water to off-the-grid communities in the Philippines?

It once took nearly a whole day’s work to bring water from the river to the upland community of Brgy. Rogongon, Iligan City. From their houses to the nearest and most accessible point of the river, kids and their parents would each have to carry a sizable container to transport the day’s ration of water. And for the residents of Rogongon, it has been like this since time immemorial. Oftentimes, school children are asked to skip school to help in fetching water for their households.

But this year their lives changed dramatically.

Through the collaborative efforts of Coca-Cola Philippines, Earth Day Network Philippines, and Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation (AIDFI), residents now easily get water for household tasks like bathing, cleaning and even drinking using the Agos ram pump.

A ram pump works by using the river’s kinetic energy to generate pressure, which then allows water to be lifted up or propelled to higher ground. 

“Prior to the installation of the ram pump in our community, it was very difficult to fetch water since the source is very far. It’s a challenge, especially when we wash our clothes. I also cannot clean the dishes in our kitchen,” shares 15-year-old Rachel Dalayao in the local dialect.

“I am happy because I can get water close to our house. I can have water for our comfort room and to wash my brothers and sisters. I can now also clean the dishes and things in our kitchen,” Rachel says.

The Agos Hydraulic Ram Pump Project provides water for about 292 households in Rogongon, including the Rogongon Agricultural High School and Kalamalamahan Elementary School. 

Rogongon, like the other community beneficiaries of Coca-Cola Philippines for Agos, was identified with the help of AIDFI. Potential community beneficiaries would have to pass certain requirements such as a minimum of five hectares of land for agricultural use, 50 domestic households, where sources of water are at least one kilometer away, and where water-borne diseases are common due to the lack of clean sources of water.

“Coca-Cola Philippines is ensuring that water resources used in our production facilities are safely returned to the environment through community and water shed replenishment efforts,” says Cecile Alcantara, president of Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines.

Alcantara explains that better access to water results in fewer incidences of water-borne diseases in the communities and requires less time and effort spent on fetching water from distant sources, leading to improved health conditions and increased opportunities for income generation.

“We used to do laundry only once a week because the water source is very far from our house. Our children cannot take a bath before going to school because of the limited access to water,” says resident Pahing Daranda. “I’m very thankful that we now have a water source near the house.”

The pipeline distribution system saves villagers a 2.7-km walk to the river below, and the water is delivered up to a combined vertical height of 325 meters through three ram pumps installed in series. The first pump brings the water up 125 meters, the second 105 meters, and the third 95 meters.

“This is our community’s only source of water, which we also use for drinking,” explains school head Richard Talais. “This project has proven to be a cost-effective and safe means to gaining water. Now, teachers’ and students’ demand for drinking water has been finally resolved.”

The Agos Ram Pump Project is part of Coca-Cola Philippines’ thrust of making a positive difference in the lives of thousands of Filipinos and to the communities it proudly serves.

“Our company’s vision is to become a global leader in sustainable water use and energy and climate protection. Starting with Barangay Rogongon, we hope to be able to provide assistance to communities all over the country who are in need of clean and safe water,” adds Adel Tamano, vice president for Public Affairs and Communication of Coca-Cola Philippines.

In the future, a total of 100 communities will have access to the ram pump technology with the help of Coca-Cola Philippines.