MOALBOAL, CEBU — The age-old water supply problem in some barangays here is coming to an end as Gov. Gwen Garcia led the inauguration of the Capitol’s Level 3 Bulk Water Supply Project on Monday, October 28, at the covered court of Brgy. Saavedra.
She was joined by her daughter Carissa, Moalboal Mayor Inocentes Cabaron, Vice Mayor Paz Rozgoni, and Board Members Glenn Soco, Cesar Baricuatro, Loren Singco, and Jerome Librando in the ceremonial opening of the valve that allowed fresh water to flow in abundance.
“Luoy kaayo ning mga taw diri sauna, Gov. Naay bugal-bugalon nga esturya nga ang taga diri kuno sa Saavedra, makaligo lang kuno og modam-ag og Siapo. Pero karon, dili na gyod na mahitabo. Kamong taga Saavedra, pwedi namo mag-shower,” Mayor Cabaron said in his speech.
The Capitol’s bulk water supply project provides a decidedly better and cheaper alternative to the water peddled by private suppliers who would charge as much as P250 per cubic meter (equivalent to five drums of water).
The Governor assured that the Capitol shall charge lesser than the local water district which charges households P11 per cubic meter for the first 10 cubic meters; and P23.50 per cubic meter for the first 10 cubic meters in commercial establishments.
“Pangitaan natog paagi. Paubsan pa ta na,” Gov. Garcia said, adding that the water tariff shall be prescribed by the Provincial Water Resources Authority and approved by the Provincial Board to ensure that everything is above board.
The water for this project is sourced from Budlot Spring in Barangay Bala. The Capitol has spent at least P317 million in building a water treatment facility and reservoir; as well as in laying down pipelines that reaches 63 kilometers, allowing the water to travel from the spring down to the individual households.
The project is expected to provide water to at least 8,690 households in 9 barangays, namely: Basdiot, Tubli, Poblacion West, Poblacion East, Tunga, Lanao, Bugho, and Bala. The Capitol has also employed “smart meters” in keeping track with water consumption of every household. The same system shall electronically transmit data to the Capitol, including the collectibles and payments made.
This is the first of many bulk water supply projects that the Capitol has completed, with similar others still being undertaken in 24 other LGUs in the province. for this year alone, the Capitol has set aside P3.3 billion for bulk water supply projects. | BJR