Sagada execs agree to start disputed P36 M water proj

By Gina Dizon

SAGADA, Mountain Province -- Officials and stakeholders have agreed to start  works on a disputed P36 million water project in this tourist town to alleviate water shortage following clarifications on alleged inconsistencies on the project.

Officials said the Buasao irrigation system would now be constructed after they and the  Tanulong  Tribe Irrigators Association Water Services and  officials arrived at a consensus to start the project.

This, following the withdrawal of signatures of  thesangguniangbayan in their regular meeting  three weeks ago reiterating  their position  authorizing Mayor Eduardo Latawan to enter into a memorandum of  agreement between the Cordillera Highland Agricultural Resource and Management Project and the local government.

Local officials authorized the release of CHARMP counterpart funds and requested funding agencies to  review and  investigate  the project.

Said project was awarded to FFJJ Construction  December last year.

The question  revolved on why  intended 15 barangays shall  not all benefit from the water  project as it only reaches  Sitio Kapinitan, a few kilometers  from Poblacion.

The project reaches barangays Tanulong, Madongo and Bangaan.

Latawan  said the original plan was to construct two- inch  diameter pipes from the Buasao source to the farthest  intended barangay beneficiaries using the earlier P18 million priority development assistance funds from Sen.r  TeofistoGuingona 111.

The opposition however of  Tanulong folks led to the changing of two to six-inch diameters pipes with the accommodation of an irrigation system for  Tanulong and the additional P18 million fund support from CHARMP.  

Vice Mayor Richard Yodong said he noted technical discrepancies  in the specification of  the construction of water tanks.

Yodong said water tanks supposed to be built in sitiosBitin and Lallal-ay, and Kiltepan as written in bid documents  were not  manifested  in implementation of the project.

An existing tank in Kapinitan shall be rehabilitated. 

 Following the error admitted by municipal engineer SianoBaldo, Latawan said  the noted discrepancy shall answer for the  construction of intended tanks in other areas and  whatever excess to be used for pipes  to reach intended  beneficiary-barangays.  

Latawan said funding for other materials shall be requested  from other sources  to let water reach intended barangays.

 Engineer  Sonny Salvacion from CHARMP said additional work  shall be requested.

In the same meeting, Councilor VenancioBaybay  noted the need for assurance of  water supply during the dry season from February to May as  water dips during this season.

The mayor said further talks shall be conducted with the Tanulong tribe.

 The Tanulong tribe including officials and elders from sister barangay Madongo allowed a one hour flow scheduled every other day for  the project’s  domestic waters “in times that water level is too low for an overflow.”

 Councilor Francis  Kilongan also asked assurance on the continuity of said water project considering water rights awarded to the Tanulong tribes in the  name of Bacdayan et al.         Latawan said  a memorandum of   understanding had been agreed among Tanulong folks allowing waters for the domestic water project.

 Earlier, some barangay officials and residents of Barangay Poblacion forwarded their  intention to do  the  project.  

They called for redesign and  re- estimation of the  project plan in order that waters reach their respective barangays.