UCL Centre for Sustainable Business Co-Director and Professor Paolo Taticchi has recently authored a case study, examining how Veragon Technologies entered the Philippine market in 2024, to address water scarcity through its innovative Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG) technology. The company’s expansion was made possible by a groundbreaking public-private partnership (PPP) with the government of Camarines Sur. This collaboration provided Veragon with critical advantages: government-funded infrastructure, tax incentives, regulatory facilitation, and access to public institutions as early adopters. In return, the initiative fostered industrialisation, job creation, and improved water access in the region. The PPP structure - anchored in a shared vision for sustainable development - enabled Veragon to reduce financial risk while contributing to local economic growth, positioning Camarines Sur as a model for scalable, high-impact partnerships across Southeast Asia. In his case study, Paolo highlights the important role of PPPs for sustainable development.
Founded in 2014, Veragon’s mission is clear: to innovate and provide sustainable water solutions to communities around the world. The company’s focus on water purification technology has led to its development of innovative atmospheric water generation technology, which harnesses humidity from the air and transforms it into clean, safe, mineralised drinking water.
With Southeast Asia identified as a crucial demand site for this technology, Veragon identified Camarines Sur as a strategic point of entry into this market due to its severe water challenges and strong government support. In his case study, Paolo evaluates these strategic decisions, and assesses the heavy reliance on strong governmental collaboration in the project’s financial model. Ultimately, for Paolo, the success of the project can be attributed to the visionary and proactive leadership of Governor LRay Villafuerte, supported by Luigi Villafuerte.
In 2025, the ongoing collaboration between Veragon and the local government has positioned Camarines Sur as an exemplary model for economic growth and environmental stewardship, demonstrating a viable path for other regions seeking sustainable and impactful development.
