January 9 to 15, 2013

Project of the eon blessed 

By Hernor De Asis & Charmaine Sanchez

Ceremonial Opening of Faucets. From left to right : Barangay San Juan Capt. Simplicio P. Caballero, Jr.,  San Carlos Mayor Gerardo P. Valmayor, San Carlos Vice Mayor Edgardo B. Quisumbing, Engr. Edward C. Sanchez, Asst. Dept. Head of CWD, and Barangay Ermita Capt. Crisanto L. Broce.

    Last January 5, 2013 Sipaway Island's new water system was blessed and inaugurated by Rev. Cho-Cho Benlot, participated by our local government officials, City Waterworks Department employees, barangay officials and people of Sipaway were present.
     The residence of Nelson L. Paterez Sr. (former brgy. San Juan official) served as the venue of the event. The blessing took place at around 11:00AM.
Ribbon cut
    To formalize the said inauguration, San Carlos City Mayor Gerardo Valmayor  together with Vice-Mayor Edgardo Quisumbing and Barangay San Juan Captain Simplicio Caballero  lead the ribbon cutting. Ceremonial opening of faucets followed.
    "We are happy that this successful project is considered by everyone as the project of the eon, a legacy that can be passed from generation to generation, from grandkids to future grandkids" Engr. Edward Sanchez remarked on his speech during the ceremony.
Rainwater, no more
    "Ato, ang mga tawu magsalig ra gayud sa tubig-ulan ug tayam-tayam nga tubig sa tabay. Nalipay mi ron nga ang gihandom sa among mga kalolahan, ani-a na." Mrs. Fe Seredrica, barangay treasurer, said with full emotions.
    Indeed, most houses relied on big containers which served as rainwater collectors for their household water needs such as the laundry, for dishwashing and bathing before the system was established.
Dealing with distances
    Since the main source of potable water is situated at Purok Nangka, Sitio Ylagan, Brgy. San Juan, the far flung residents of Brgy. San Juan (particularly from Magsaysay Pitogo, Lawis Pitogo, Purok Caimito, Purok Santol) and Brgy. Ermita (Purok I, Purok II, Sitio Ipil, Sitio Kauswagan, Sitio Bogo, Sitio Iligan) have to commute to reach Ylagan before availing water.
    Due to this problem, some rely on water for P5-P10 per container depending on the distance from the water source which are daily delivered, than to wake up at 5:00AM, commute with a fare ranging from P5-P15 aNd to fall in line with numerous people.
Phase to continue
    Phase II will be the installation of distribution lines for the two island-barangays and this includes the construction of impounding reservoirs in the mainland and in the island. The Technical Working Group mentioned in our interviews that they are now taking steps in initiating Phase II for a much convenient water supply. Probably, this will be realized before the end of the year.