Remote community in Samar benefits from water project

By ICRC
August 8, 2011

MANILA  –  Safe drinking water is now only a few steps away for over 1,200 residents of a remote barangay in Basey, Samar, after the completion of a project supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The construction of the spring-catchment water project will be marked today at a turnover ceremony in Brgy. Mabini. In this community, which has been affected by conflict, residents used to travel 1-2 kilometers up a mountain or down a river to retrieve water from unprotected sources.

“We tapped their natural spring source and laid pipes that would reach the barangay. Now all residents have to do to get water is go to one of the 17 communal tap stands scattered in their area. It’s much safer and convenient for them,” explained Carlos Suarez, a water and habitat engineer working for the ICRC, which is a neutral and impartial humanitarian organization that assists and protects victims of armed conflict.

Begun in 2010, the water project was accomplished through a partnership of the community, the municipality of Basey, and ICRC. Residents voluntarily helped in the process of construction, including digging and laying of pipes. Municipal engineers, meanwhile, worked closely with ICRC engineers and provided technical support.

“The commitment of the barangay and the municipality is crucial in sustaining the project, so that these families may enjoy safe drinking water from here on,” said Suarez.

With the project now in place, helping the community maintain it is the current focus. The ICRC and the Basey municipality is supporting training on the water system's technical and financial operations of the water system for members of the newly created Barangay Mabini Waterworks and Sanitation Association.

Mobilizing the community would help instill a sense of ownership and responsibility over the water system, added ICRC water and habitat engineer Annarosa Cerrero.