Project eyed to solve Bontoc water woes

By Wabilyn M. Lomong-oy

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Water shortage, a perennial problem of this capital town, may soon be a thing of the past – if funds from the Local Water Utilities Administration would be released soon.  

As an offshoot of the endorsement letter by Mayor Pascual Sacgaca asking for financial assistance for the construction of the Bontoc Domestic Water System, LWUA Chairman Rene Villa came here and discussed the issue with the mayor.

Villa said they referred Sacgaca’s letter to Department of Interior and Local Government Sec. Mar Roxas in line with the agencies’ agreement on bringing water to communities through projects.

Villa said since LWUA will be lending money for the proposal, there was need to solve problems and come up with agreements.     

Though it was learned that the Bontoc Water District had been dissolved, Villa said he was willing to push through with the project since Sacgaca had asked Sangguniang Bayan members to make and prepare a resolution approving the establishment and not a re-activation of Bontoc Water District.

The BWD started its operation on July 1981 but due to policy differences on water meter installation, the agency was dissolved on February 1990 by a municipal ordinance making the BWD non-functional.

The water system of Bontoc is now being administered by the Water Works Unit.

Sacgaca, said this time, the municipality would push through with establishment of Bontoc Water District through SB resolution 312 s. 2012.

The resolution stated necessity for sufficient, safe and potable water for domestic and industrial uses in the municipality.

Since water had been a perennial problem in the municipality especially in the four central barangays, the mayor said he was looking for ways to solve the water problem.  

The mayor also informed Villa that the proposed water source for the municipality shall come from Barangay Mainit.

The source is surface water coming from two resources, a viable supply for needed amount of water in the capital town.

Villa added they preferred surface water since spring water sourced can dry up especially during summer season.

Councilor Eusebio Kabluyen said they were also looking for alternative water sources closer within the four central barangays aside from the Mainit.

Meanwhile, Villa advised the mayor to prepare  documents especially the SB resolution to be submitted immediately for the establishment of BWD so the local government can avail of financial assistance for the project.