Tabuk City, Philippines – In a breakthrough achievement, the residents of Sitio Dangwa in Agbannawag, Tabuk City, can finally rejoice as they now have access to clean and adequate water. The much-awaited water works project, supported by CorDisRDS, was successfully completed and inaugurated on Sunday, May 28, 2023, following a thorough assessment and turnover.
Before the official turnover ceremony, provincial staff members Froilan Wanagon and Michael Wingnga conducted a terminal assessment to evaluate the implementation process of this successful water works project. It was revealed that this was their first experience handling this technology in this particular endeavor. Typically, CorDisRDS implements gravity flow water systems or taps into mountain springs to supply upland communities. However, due to factors like upland farming, forest conversion, and changing climate, the gravity flow water system that previously served Dangwa had depleted. As a result, the project utilized appropriate technology to tap water from underground sources using water pumps.
Community member shares they no longer have to purchase or fetch water from other Sitios.
Linda Pitag, a respected women leader in the community, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to CorDisRDS for addressing their longstanding issue of water scarcity, especially during the summer season. She described the hardships they faced, with numerous containers piled up at the water taps, providing only minimal amounts of water from their existing system. Many residents were forced to fetch water from other sitios in Agbannawag or purchase drinking water from nearby refilling stations. Pitag exclaimed, “Dakkel a tulong daytoy water works project gapu ta nabayag a problema mi ditoy Dangwa ti kinakurang ti danum” (This water works project is a big help for us because water scarcity has been our perennial problem). She also extended her gratitude to the Agbannawag Community Association for Development (ACAD) and its affiliated organizations for facilitating their plea for access to potable water, even amidst competing priorities.
Following the project assessment, Mr. Wanagon led the development of an amended policy aimed at ensuring the project’s sustainability. Emphasizing CorDisRDS’s principle of “low cost but high impact,” Wanagon highlighted the importance of long-term utilization and introduced provisions such as a water user’s fee to cover operational expenses, including electricity, maintenance, and administration.
CorDisRDS staff facilitates the policy amendment to ensure the project’s sustainability
To enforce the policy effectively, a dedicated waterworks management committee was formed, and their respective responsibilities were thoroughly discussed. Randy Kub-ao, Chairman of ACAD, encouraged the beneficiaries to transform the Management Committee into a sitio organization under ACAD. This transformation would foster unity and enable the development of comprehensive programs to address the needs of Sitio Dangwa community.
Despite the rain shower as Typhoon Betty approached the Philippine Area of Responsibility, a brief turnover ceremony took place, marking a significant milestone. Rose Marie Dong-as, Secretary of ACAD, commenced the turnover with a prayer, followed by a heartfelt message of gratitude from Linda Pitag, the newly elected chairperson of the management committee. Symbolizing the inauguration of the waterworks project’s operation, the staff members handed over the key and padlock to the committee officers.
With the successful completion of the water works project, the residents of Sitio Dangwa can now look forward to a future with access to reliable and clean water. This achievement serves as a testament to the transformative power of innovative solutions and collaborative efforts of CorDisRDS and its partners in overcoming pressing community challenges.