While traveling to Catanduanes from Manila to bring relief supplies, the BRP Gabriela Silang will also convert saltwater to fresh water which will be provided to typhoon-ravaged communities in the province.
Admiral George Ursabia, Philippine Coast Guard commandant, said that aside from the drinking water they sent, they will also be converting seawater to freshwater using a system embedded in the ship.
“It (ship) can provide fresh water as well, we know that the water system in Catanduanes was destroyed so this can help to provide fresh water,” Ursabia said as he led the send-off ceremony of the ship Wednesday afternoon.
"Mayroon itong sistema na tinatawag nating 'reverse osmosis' na yung saltwater puwede niyang i-convert sa fresh water. Potable naman siya, pero kung kailangang gawing drinking water, kailangang i-boil muna siya. (It has a system called reverse osmosis that converts saltwater into fresh water. This is potable and if it will be used for drinking, it must be boiled first)," the commandant explained.
He said the system can convert 1,200 liters of saltwater in an hour, adding this would greatly help their mission to provide clean water to the affected communities following the damage of the water system.
BRP Gabriela Silang left Manila Wednesday for Catanduanes to bring food packs, water, and other supplies. It is expected to arrive in Port of Virac on Thursday noon.
“Pagkarating ng Catanduanes bukas ng tanghali, agad na ibababa ang mga relief supplies para sa lalong madaling panahon ay makabalik ito sa Maynila. (Once it arrives in Catanduanes tomorrow noon, the relief supplies willbe disembarked right away so the ship can come back to Manila immediately),” Ursabia said.
He added, “There are more goods to be transported” to the Bicol Region.
Meanwhile, around 500 personnel, who are fresh graduates from the PCG’s training site in Masbate, were already deployed to Bicol to help in the relief operations.