World Water Day in Philippines
Australia supports RP water projects
MANILA, Mar. 23 (PNA) - Member-coutnries of the United Nations observe March 22 as World Water Day, an occasion which emphasises water as a very important resource for the survival of mankind.
In the Philippines, providing clean and potable water for all and the conservation of the country's water resources are major concerns of the Philippine-Australian development cooperation program.
The Australian government, through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), assists the Philippine government, as well as its communities in various water projects: from the huge Central Visayas Water and Sanitation Project (CVWSP) to the small marine rehabilitation project in barangay San Francisco, Talibon, Bohol.
AusAID First Secretary Paul Roche reported that the recently completed Central Visayas Water and Sanitation Project provided potable water supply systems to some 450,000 people and sanitation facilities to about 144,000 beneficiaries in 36 municipalities in the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
With an AusAID funding of P525 million, the project established community-based water user and sanitation associations, which then helped plan to develop appropriate facilities. The completed facilities were turned over to these groups for their direct management and maintenance.
"The CVWSP pioneered a method which sought sustainability through a very high level of community consultation and involvement. The project received an award from the Philippine Association of Consulting Engineers for its innovative and demand-based approach to rural water supply and sanitation. It has become a model for sustainable water and sanitation projects in the Philippines," said Roche.
AusAID First Secretary Lindsay Chan reported that 233 upgraded community water supply systems are among the infrastructures to be powered by solar energy under the AusAID-Funded Municipal Solar Infrastructure Project (MSIP) in the provinces of Guimaras, Eastern Samar, Basilan, Surigao del Sur and Tawi-Tawi.
Other activities on water funded by the Australian government are the Baguio Water Supply Upgrading and Rehabilitation Project, Wastewater Treatment Technology and Cleaner Production demonstration Project, and the Project on Water Supply for Bala'ddang Tribal Community in the Mountain Province.
The Baguio Water Supply Upgrading and Rehabilitation Project will expand the water supply in Baguio City by utilizing spring water, tapping additional ground water, and rehabilitating and extending the pipeline network to meet the current water demand of the city. AusAID is providing grant support for mixed credit in the amount of P162.42 million to the Baguio Water District through the Local Water Utilities Administration for this project.
The P92.5-million Wastewater Treatment Technology Transfer and Cleaner Production Demonstration Project will facilitate the transfer of Australian know-how to local industries through demonstration and technology awareness. The project will seek to convince the private sector that cleaner production, waste minimization, and wastewater treatment techniques and technology are available and that they can be cost-effectivity implemented. Project activities include undertaking waste audits and developing environment improvement plans; installation of wasterwater equipment; and training, seminars and workshops.
Australia also provides direct assistance to communities through the Direct Assistance Program (DAP) and the Philippine-Asutralian Community Assistance Program (PACAP).
Through DAP, the project on Water Supply for Bala'ddang Tribal Community in the Mountain Province will construct a potable water supply system that can generate approximately 1,000 gallons of water to serve 50 households composed of 350 men, women and children.
The project, with the Katutubong Filipino Foundation, Inc. (KFF) as partner NGO, will not only enhance the quality of life of the beneficiaries but will also ensure the maintenance of established plant nurseries, avoid prevalent water-borne diseases, and contribute to personal hygiene and cleanliness within the area.
DAP will provide P96,842 for the purchase of water pumps and lumber while the KFF will provide labor, transport and administrative costs. At the end of the project, the KFF will turn over its maintenance to the Bala'ddang Community Association.
Philippine-Australian Community Assistance Program (PACAP) Director Patricia Georgina Domingo reported that PACAP directly finances community water projects benefitting poor families in Metro Manila. La Union, Nueva Ecija, Negros Occidental, Aklan. Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Davao del Norte, South Cotabato and Saranggani.
"PACAP is a unique funding mechanism that supports community-based development projects aimed at raising the living standards of poor and marginalized communities through diect grant funding and technical assistance to non-government organizations (NGOs) and people's organizations (POs)," said Ms. Domingo.
Among the water projects funded by PACAP are the Community Water Resource and Livelihood Program in La Union, the Marine Rehabilitation Project in Barangay San Francisco, Talibon, Bohol, and the Integrated Agroforestation Management and Conservation Project in South Cotabato, to name a few.
In Luzon, the Community Water Resource and Livelihood Program in Barangay Ipet, Supiden, La Union, with PACAP funding of P750,000, will construct four deep wells, and a spring water system, reforest the five-hectare perimeter of the spring source to ensure continuous supply of water, while providing livelihood credit assistance to 85 unemployed women. Upon completion, the water systems will be managed by the beneficiaries.
In the Visayas, the Marine Rehabilitation Project in Barangay San Francisco, Talibon, Bohol is one of the many water resource conservation activities being assisted by PACAP. Fifty-five poor families are now engaged in the development of a mangrove plantation and installation of artificial reefs. With a PACAP funding of P686,400, some 25 hectares were planted with 600,000 mangrove trees while 104 artificial reefs were installed. The beneficiaries, who protect and maintain the mangrove plantation, will establish a marketing system for their produce.
In Mindanao, PACAP finances the Integrated Agroforesration Management and Conservation Project in South Cotabato in the amount of P979,375. The project assists 200 upland and lowland families increase their incomes through the provision of water supply, vegetables production, environment awareness, and cooperative and enterprise development.
"Since 1986, PACAP has allocated some P25.2 mmillion for small water projects initiated by community folks," said Ms. Domingo. (PNA) jv/PR/lct
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