Shearwater Health Brings Clean Water to Indigenous Community in Sapang Uwak

Porac, Pampanga – February 14, 2025 – Shearwater Health has officially inaugurated a solar-powered water pump system for the indigenous Aeta community of Sapang Uwak. The project, launched under Shearwater Health’s Service to Others corporate social responsibility (CSR) program, was unveiled during an inauguration ceremony at Sapang Uwak High School’s Multi-purpose Hall.

This sustainable solar water system, installed by MPJ Solar Panel and Equipment Store, represents a transformative shift for the more than 600 families of Sapang Uwak. For years, the community has faced an acute shortage of clean water, relying on costly and time-consuming methods to access this basic necessity. With no consistent connection to grid electricity, the solar-powered pump will now enable sustainable water extraction, ensuring that residents can access safe and affordable water for daily use.

A Community’s Struggle and Victory

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For generations, potable water has been a scarce resource in Sapang Uwak. For schoolchildren, the journey to retrieve water before heading to class has meant arriving late—or missing school altogether.

Col. Samuel Sagun, Founder of PEACE Kamp, reflected on the impact of the project: “I still can’t believe that we now have water supply in Sapang Uwak because a few days ago, this looked like a desert on a hill. We need two hundred pesos to get water supplied to our area—sometimes, even five hundred pesos—money which could have been spent on rice and food. Now, they can afford food, and now this is our new reality.”

Pastor Benny Capuno, Chairman of the Indigenous Peoples Structure (IPS), emphasized how this initiative strengthens the community’s well-being: “Nakakataas ng moral sa aming mga Aeta at kumpiyansa sa aming mga anak ang pagkakaroon ng patubig sa Sapang Uwak. Gusto kong mas malapit sila sa patubig upang sa ganon sa araw-araw nilang pamumuhay, sila ay malinis pati na ang kanilang inumin. Maiiwas din sila sa sakit lalo na’t napakalayo namin sa hospital.” (translation: Having access to a water supply in Sapang Uwak boosts the morale of us Aeta and strengthens our children’s confidence. I want them to be closer to the water source so that in their daily lives, they can stay clean, and their drinking water is safe. This will also help prevent illnesses, especially since we live far from the hospital.)

Shearwater Health’s Commitment to Sustainability and Well-Being

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Shearwater Health has been actively supporting the Sapang Uwak community since 2022, focusing on improving healthcare and overall well-being. The solar water pump system is one of its most ambitious and impactful projects to date, demonstrating the company’s dedication to solutions that create lasting change.

“We want to provide support to Sapang Uwak that is long-term and sustainable. To our Sapang Uwak family, true to our promise, we have made it happen today—on this day of love, February 14—we are officially turning over the solar water pump project that we have long dreamed of,” said Giselle Geronimo, Shearwater Health’s Service to Others Head and VP for Finance, Accounting & Procurement. “More than improving healthcare outcomes globally, we are saving lives and saving dreams.”

The inauguration ceremony was a testament to the power of collaboration. Among those in attendance were key figures from Shearwater Health, including Giselle Geronimo, VP for Finance, Accounting & Procurement, along with Senior Operations Managers Narzen Mascarenas and Annaliza Gundran—both Service to Others site leads for Pampanga. Also present were Michael Terencio, Associate Director for Human Capital Management, Service to Others Project Coordinator Lucelyn Cacho, and Shearwater Health employee volunteers.

Joining them were Vince Edward Manalo, Sapang Uwak High School Head, representatives from PEACE Kamp, Indigenous Peoples Structure (IPS), and local officials. The Serrano Family, headed by Apo Jaime Serrano, played a crucial role in the project, granting permission to access the vital water source on their property.

The event featured messages of gratitude and hope from community leaders, a special student performance from Sapang Uwak High School, and a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, marking the official launch of the project.

As Shearwater Health continues its CSR initiatives, this solar water system stands as proof that thoughtful, sustainable interventions can change lives for generations to come.

About Shearwater Health

Shearwater Health, founder of the nation's first Clinical Process Outsourcing (CPO?), offers tailored and scalable clinical solutions for healthcare organizations, including payers, providers, and workers' compensation and disability clients. Dedicated to enhancing healthcare through clinician-driven processes, Shearwater's global team of over 5,000 highly skilled clinicians expertly handle both administrative and complex clinical tasks. This allows their clients to concentrate on their core mission: providing exceptional patient care and outcomes.

For more information, visit www.shearwaterhealth.com.