Pipe-laying activity in Alegria, Cebu.

Alegria potable water system revives idle farm lands, puts end to typhoid

Date Published: April 11, 2018

“I will go back to farming.”

This was the strong statement of Leonila Glova of Alegria, Cebu following the ongoing implementation of the potable water system (PWS)  in the area by the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP).

Through the PWS project, farmers like Glova were encouraged to utilize of what used to be their idle lands.

“Mga tulo na katuig nga niundang ko og panguma tungod sa klisud sa tubig. Pila ka container ako dad-on, dili ni magsilbi,” Glova shared.  

(It’s been three years now since I stopped farming because going to the water source is a challenge. I had to carry as many containers that I decided to stop farming.)

He eventually changed his mind and went back to farming after seeing hopes that clean water will soon be made available in their area.

 “Sigurado na jud nga mobalik ko sa pagpananum og sibuyas, sili, o bisan sayote. Bisan handig pa o bato-on pa ang dapit nga ako pagatamnan, kabalo ko mamahimo kini butangan og plastic drum o gani butangan og hose aron di mangamatay ang mga tanum kay naa na man tubig,” said Glova.

(If there is one thing I’m sure of doing right now, it’s to go back to farming, planting onions, chili, or even chayote. Whether the terrain is sloping or rocky, I know we can tore water through the use of plastic drums or hose to store water for the plants.)

Alegriahanon farmers vowed to till back their idle farmlands now that the PWS is implemented. Water reservoir construction and pipe laying activities are under construction.

Glova works as an added labor force to the ongoing construction.

Construction of reservoir and pipe-laying activities are now simultaneously conducted in Alegria, Cebu. Once finished, this will supply clean, safe water to nine barangays in Alegria.

 

The realization of the project was an answer to an earnest request. In fact, residents voluntarily donated parcel of their lands for the stationing of tap stands and reservoir. This will lessen the struggle of fetching water to and from the water source.

Meanwhile, 42-year old farmer Walter Baylosis, said the task of fetching of water is tedious, and time-consuming.

Kani nga project, dako jud og kausaban nga mahatag sa among dapit, dili lang ang mga kabus nga katawhan ang makabenebisyo, apil na usab nga maagian sa tubig ang kaumahan.

(This project will make a big impact in the community, not only for the marginalized sector but also the farmlands where the water will traverse.)

With the impending completion of the project, Baylosis, together with other farmers, can now plant all-year round.

He also emphasized that with  safe water ensured, typhoid is now a thing of the past in the area.

Ako, kami, nga mga sakop sa Kinyangan Santa Filomena excited na nga muabot kining tubig na sa amoa ug magpasalamat nami daan og sayo”  said Glova.

( We members of Kinyangan Santa Filomena are very excited about this water project, and I am extending my early gratitude to (DA-PRDP) for making this project a reality.)

The local government of Alegria pushed for the Rehabilitation of the PWS which include the total replacement of 50-year-old dilapidated pipes and construction of reservoirs to ensure potable water to curb the outbreak of typhoid fever in the area. More importantly, this will revive the once active farming activities in Alegria. (Bexmae Jumao-as, RPCO 7, InfoACE)

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