Bontoc folks want firm to water woes

By Wabilyn C. Mana-od

BONTOC, Mountain Province - The reactivation of the Bontoc Water District to address water shortage in this capital town gained support from different organizations here including barangay officials during a recent public hearing here.

During the hearing, the pre-investment study regarding the re-activation of the BWD for a sustainable and potable water supply project was presented as initial plan.

The study showed water supply at present is being supervised by the Bontoc Water Unit (BWU) with low clientele coverage of 1023 connections representing 37 percent of the target households of 2750 and 16.3 percent of the total 6275 households and establishments of Bontoc.

Majority of the households (67%) have been sourcing out potable water from small water systems managed by barangay LGUs, enterprising individuals and private groups either by pipes or by truck delivery at prohibitive cost.

In addition, water quality supplied by a few private individuals appeared to have better quality as they were piped from protected springs.

However, most were sourced from open surface water with no assurance of potable quality.

Three major existing water sources included the following: Sullong water source which is still functional water system that supplies the water requirement of Lanao, Sub-ang, part of Loc-ong, Public Market, Poblacion, Eyeb, and houses near the office of the DPWH.

Another is the Bay bay water source which is functional but with low water discharge at the distribution area due to pilferage, leakages and unauthorized connections at barangay Talubin. Lastly is the Balabag water source where the water supply is tapped from open water surface flowing from the creek that supplies the water requirement of Bontoc Ili, Samoki, Caluttit and Poblacion.

With the initiative of the present administration, Mayor Pascual Sacgaca said re-activation of the BWD was a viable option to sustain a potable water supply in the long run.

This was in response to the prevailing problem of the constituents to have clean, safe, adequate and lasting potable water in every household.

After the public hearing, a resolution by the Sangguniang Bayan members was solicited for the re-activation of the Bontoc Water District.

Coordination with the concerned line agencies will be made to formulate the Bontoc water system master plan.

Subsequently, the mayor will appoint the new board of directors while the SB will enact a resolution re-activating the BWD with provisions to appoint the new BOD including the revised bylaws.

The BOD shall be composed of a representative from the civic-oriented service club, one from professional associations, one from the business sector, one from the education sector and one from the women’s organization.

Series of processing and dealings will be mandated before the implementation.

Majority of the population during the public hearing approved to re-activate the Bontoc Water District.

The hearing was attended by Sacgaca, with the support of councilors Eusebio Kabluyen, Bryan Bellang and Wilbert Padngaran including former Gov. Jaime Gomez and former councilor Ciriaco Filog.