Netizens are circulating a quote card of Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian saying that air can now be turned into water to help address El Niño. This needs context.
Since Oct. 23, Facebook users have been sharing the social media card which featured two images of Gatchalian, one of which shows him demonstrating a machine to some residents.
The headline read:
“HANGIN PWEDE NANG GAWING TUBIG, SOLUSYON LABAN SA SUPER EL NIÑO (AIR CAN NOW BE CONVERTED INTO WATER – A SOLUTION AGAINST SUPER EL NIÑO).”
Gatchalian was also quoted as saying:
“‘Yung hangin pwede nang gawing tubig, ganyan tayo ka-advance (We can now turn air into water – that’s how advanced we are).”
Several netizens criticized the DSWD chief for supposedly suggesting an unusual idea, while others asked if such a technology exists.
These posts need context. The DSWD launched a hybrid air-to-water generator system in Cawayan, Masbate last month. The atmospheric water generator extracts humidity from the air, then converts it to water.
On Sept. 28, the DSWD inaugurated the first AWG under its Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services program in Barangay Gilotongan. Gatchalian himself demonstrated how to use the generator that extracts moisture from air to provide “safe and clear water” for the community.
While there are no reports of Gatchalian saying the exact quote in the circulating graphic, he made several statements about the air-to-water project.
“There is a machine installed and because of humidity, the water will be extracted from it. Not groundwater, but it is taken from the air. It’s a technology that’s available abroad. We brought it to the Philippines so that you can see for yourself, and maybe that will become part of the solution in your communities,” Gatchalian said in mixed English and Filipino in an Oct. 21 video released by DSWD’s official FB page.
Gatchalian’s official FB page also dubbed the project as one of the “solutions” to the expected water shortage due to the Super El Niño. The Department of Science and Technology has earlier warned Filipinos of a “very strong” Super El Niño currently active in the Tropical Pacific, which is expected to intensify from September to December and persist through the first half of 2027.
In an Oct. 14 Malacañang press briefing, the secretary also said they are aiming to distribute the solar-powered AWG all over the country.
The concept of extracting water out of humid air dates back to over a century, but modern AWG systems have been invented and popularized as early as 2007. Other countries, such as Vietnam and Uzbekistan, have deployed AWGs in recent years.
The posts lacking context started circulating two days after the DSWD released the video about the system installed last September.
VERA Files has debunked other disinformation related to the agency.
At least 20 posts by FB users without proper context have collectively garnered 2,311 reactions; 1,110 comments; and 119 shares.
