Philippines: Water Supply Brings Progress to Agrarian Reform Community
The agrarian reform community of Amianan had a problem accessing clean water until the Agrarian Reform Communities Development Project funded by the World Bank showed them how to help themselves.
The Amianan Agrarian Reform Community had a major problem. One of its three barangays had trouble accessing safe drinking water especially during the dry months when the source dried up and residents had to fetch water from open and shallow wells, which resulted in the high incidence of water-borne diseases.
This situation changed in 2000 when the World Bank-funded Agrarian Reform Communities Development Project, responding to a proposal by the ARC, helped provide the area with a potable water system.
The water supply project has since been expanded. The community has built more reservoirs, upgraded its distribution pipes, and planted trees in the watershed. Water-borne diseases have been reduced to zero and water supply system has boosted the tourism potentials of Pagudpud.
MARCH 23 2009, ILOCOS NORTE, PHILIPPINES—The town of Pagudpud, on the northernmost tip of the province of Ilocos Norte, has a population of around 20,000 people spread across its mountains, hills, valleys, pristine beaches and sand dunes. A fourth class municipality, its residents are mostly fisherfolk and farmers.
In 1998, three barangays of Pagudpud were made part of the Amianan Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) under the Agrarian Reform Communities Development Project (ARCDP) of the Department of Agrarian Reform, supported by a loan from the World Bank. ARCDP provides ARCs with support services that help increase incomes and improve the quality of life of farmer-beneficiaries.
Addressing a major problem
The Amianan ARC had a major problem. Subec, one of its three barangays, had trouble accessing sufficient and safe drinking water. The supply became critical during the dry months when the source, a spring in Sitio Kibakib, dried up and residents had to fetch water from open and shallow wells, which resulted in the high incidence of water-borne diseases.
This situation changed in 2000 when the ARCDP, responding to a proposal by the ARC, helped provide the area with a potable water system. The Vira-Vira Rural Water System now serves over 6,000 people in1,354 households in Subec and four other barangays outside of the ARC.
At a barangay consultation in 1998, the residents of Amianan ARC proposed the construction of a Level II potable water system using a new water source that would serve Subec and the adjoining barangays outside the ARC. As part of the process, residents set up the Vira-Vira Rural Waterworks and Sanitation Association (RWSA) and held orientation-workshops where the role and functions of the ARC and the RWSA were discussed with the beneficiaries.
Construction the water system
The Subec water system involved the construction of a spring box and four reservoirs, and the installation of 5.247 kilometers of pipes and communal faucets located strategically in the four barangays. The cost of Php 3.7 million, was shared by the DAR (P2.9 million), the Pagudpud LGU and the other barangays involved (P756,745).
Construction was handled by a private contractor jointly monitored by the LGU, and the ARCDP’s Local Office Provincial Project Office. Barangay residents worked on the project, contributing 50% of their pay as their communities’counterpart.
As the water system was being constructed, the officers and members of the RWSA learned the basics of potable water management, the requirements and procedures regarding collection and remittance, how to formulate policies on the use of water, the collection of maintenance fees and the penalties for non-payment. They prepared budget proposals and trained in accounting and records management. Collectors were briefed on zoning, billing and meter reading. Officers and members were taught how to make minor repairs to the water system. The ARCDP emphasized that if the project failed, the grant would be converted into a loan.
From the start, the water system had its problems. The water did not reach households in the remote parts of the barangays. To resolve this, the association used nipples and reducers in the stand pipes near the water reservoir and increased the flow to the farther stand pipes. However, this solution turned out to be temporary. Some households neglected to report leaks while others left their faucets running, resulting in wastage.
Water metering
So the RWSA Board proposed water metering, which would upgrade the system from Level II to Level III, with pipes leading directly into homes. Metering solved the unequal distribution of water to households and increased the income of the RWSA.
The association adopted the policy of “no water meter, no water supply.” Water tariff was increased from a flat rate of PhP10 per household to PhP40 for a minimum of 10 cubic meters for residential users, and PhP80 for commercial users. Failure to pay water bills for two months was ground for disconnection, with re-connection costing PhP200. This contributed to the high collection rate of 98%. As of December 31, 2007, some 642 (67%) of the 958 households in the four barangays had moved up to Level III.
Expansion
The water supply project has since been expanded. The association has acquired additional lots to build more reservoirs, and upgraded its distribution pipes to allow more households to avail of the water service.
To ensure the sustained flow of safe drinking water, the RWSA has planted trees in the watershed. And training seminars on watershed management have resulted in a watershed rehabilitation program.
The incidence of water-borne diseases has been reduced to zero and the reliable potable water supply has boosted the tourism potentials of Pagudpud, especially the coastal barangays. Before the project, there were only six beach resorts in the area. In December 2007, there were 14, most of which are concessionaires of Vira-Vira RWSA, and the Department of Tourism had accredited 25 ‘homestays’ that were authorized to take in tourists.
As of August 31, 2007, the RWSA had total assets of Php 3.4 million. Vira-Vira has since become a model for potable water systems. People from all over the country come to Pagudpud on study tours to learn from its good practices.
For more information, please visit the Projects website.
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