By Liza Agoot/PNA
BAGUIO CITY — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has commissioned another potable water system sub-project which provides water to 167 households in a far-flung barangay (village) in Banaue, Ifugao.
“Through the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), the DA commissioned the PHP2.4 million project that assures residents they will enjoy safe, accessible and potable water right in their residences,” Elvy Taquio of the PRDP’s Information, Advocacy, Communication and Education unit, said on Thursday.
Taquio said there are three potable water system projects in Banaue being completed.
“With the construction of these sub-projects, the local government of Banaue intends to provide a safe and accessible water supply to both farming and non-farming residents especially in the remote barangays,” Taquio said.
Taquio said before the commissioning of the project, some households relied on spring sources for their water needs while others source their water from the main water transmission pipes.
She said PHP2.4 million project was the first water system completed under the PRDP in the whole region.
She said one of the residents, Helen Abluyen, was very thankful for the convenience because of the government project.
“When this (project) came, we are very grateful for having an easier access to potable water and people no longer argue with each other because there is enough water for everyone,” the 60-year-old Abluyen said,
Abluyen said her family used to fetch water from the spring which is reached by walking for about an hour.
Retired teacher Roberto Domingo, 80, recalled the time when he and his students would walk for about one kilometer to fetch water.
“It is more convenient now that we have it here, near our house and near the school,” he said.
Domingo’s household has a designated tap stand, which is shared by more than three nearby households.
Edwin Camhit of the PRDP Regional Project Coordination Office Cordillera said 33 units of tap stands, two units of water reservoir, one unit of intake tank, and distribution pipelines were installed in the barangay near the residential houses and schools, bringing potable water supply closer to the end users.
The PRDP is a six-year national project under the DA which establishes a modern, value chain-oriented and climate-resilient agriculture and fisheries sector.
In partnership with local government units and the private sector, the project provides key infrastructure, facilities, technology and information to raise incomes, productivity and competitiveness in targeted areas.
The PRDP is jointly funded by the World Bank, the national government and the participating local government unit.
