Rows of empty water containers line the roadside in Malapatan, Sarangani as residents wait for water supplies. Following the earthquake, many communities in the area have been left without access to running water after water distribution lines were reportedly damaged by the quake. Residents say the shortage has become one of their most urgent needs in the aftermath of the disaster. —INQUIRER PHOTO/MARC COSEP

COTABATO CITY, BARMM, Philippines — Residents in several villages in Glan, Sarangani, are enjoying restored water supply service and limited electricity a week after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake rocked Mindanao, thanks to solar power.

Remegio Timonio, director of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) in Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos) region, said that a 6-kilowatt solar-powered system installed on Sunday started to pump up 10,000 liters of water for almost 4,000 residents of Barangay San Vicente.

Timonio said the quake left villagers without electricity, making access to safe drinking water a daily struggle until the solar-powered system was installed in their community.