Sagay city:<Text>

A proposed national government-funded desalination project in Molocaboc Island of Sagay City in northern Negros Occidental is set to enhance freshwater access and offer alternative sources of income for its residents.

According to Philippines News Agency, the two-year initiative, with a project cost of PHP8.5 million, aims to develop the village into a pilot site for a first-of-its-kind desalination facility in the country. This project receives support from the Department of Agriculture's National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), in coordination with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva emphasized the importance of expediting the project's implementation, noting its long-term impact on water security and livelihoods. The desalination facility will cover a production area of approximately 300 to 500 square meters and is designed to address limited freshwater access in the island-ba rangays. It will produce potable drinking water and generate rock salt as a secondary output, providing an alternative livelihood for local residents.

During a meeting on February 24, Cueva and the technical team from NFRDI and BFAR-Negros Island Region discussed how the presence of organized local associations in Barangay Molocaboc enhances the island's suitability as a pilot site, ensuring community participation and effective project implementation.

The city government has designated a counterpart team to support the project with electricity connection, water system construction, and other basic utilities. Cueva pointed out the timely implementation of the desalination project, as electricity was restored by the National Power Corp. in Molocaboc Island last December.

The NFRDI-BFAR technical team will also provide a backup generator set to ensure continuous operation. Barangay Molocaboc consists of three sitios - Molocaboc Daku, Molocaboc Diut, and Mata bas. These island-communities are part of the 32,000-hectare Sagay Marine Reserve and are accessible via a 30-minute boat ride from Sagay City's Vito wharf.