Aiding to curb the effects of the looming El Niño, the Department of Agriculture- Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Regional Project Coordination Office -8 (RPCO-8) provided aid to farmers and their families in Hilongos, Leyte through a potable water system (PWS) subproject. On June 16, 2023, the ceremonial turnover of the Hilongos Barangay Water Supply Development Project to the local government unit of Hilongos was held.

“Sa kadaghan sa proseso nga gi-agyan, some people did not believe. Di sila mutu-o kung tinuod ba na ni na storya na ang tubig sa Sto. Nino muabot diri sa lungsod. But we pursued ug atong gipadayon. And that’s what brought us here,” shared Hilongis Vice Mayor Albert Villahermosa.

(After the tedious process we underwent, some people doubted that the water from Sto. Niño could reach the town proper but we pursued and continued. And that is what brought us here today.)

Scheduled for 10 months of construction, this project marks another milestone for PRDP RPCO 8 and Hilongos LGU after it was completed eight months ahead of its original target completion date with a +20.03% variance.

Hilongos Mayor Manuel R. Villahermosa expressed his warmest gratitude that they managed to finish the project ahead of its schedule despite the tedious process of approval.

“This is a big help to the people in their locality who need clean and safe water in their everyday lives. I am filled with so much gratitude to all those behind this project, also to the barangay officials and community members who cooperated during the construction,” he said.

The PWS is currently one of the biggest water development projects implemented under the DA-PRDP having a total project cost of P 125,936,800.36. This included the construction of three units of intake box, one unit of infiltration gallery, 17 units reservoir, 7.585 kilometers pipelines, and 490 sets of tap stands.

“Kini na project nato sa PRDP, usa ni sa mga priority projects sa ato Presidente at the same time Secretary sa Department of Agriculture. Usab nalipay ko kay kini usa nga resulta sa ato pagtinabangay. Salit, ako mismo, in behalf of the regional office magpasalamat ko ninyo sa inyong tabang. Nagpapasalamat ako sa tanang involved kini nga project kay nagiging instrument ang Department of Agriculture sa development niniyo dinhi sa Hilongos,” said Dir. Andrew Rodolfo T. Orais, DA RFO 8 Regional Executive Director and PRDP RPCO 8 Project Director expressed.

(This project is one of the priority projects of our President who is at the same time the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture. With this, I am happy because this is a result of our unity. That is why, on behalf of the regional office, I would like to thank you all for your help. I am thankful to all who are involved in this project because you made the Department of Agriculture an instrument for the development here in Hilongos.)

“I am thankful to all who are involved in this project because you made the Department of Agriculture an instrument for the development here in Hilongos,” said Dir. Andrew Rodolfo T. Orais, DA RFO 8 Regional Executive Director and PRDP RPCO 8 Project Director

The PWS project is expected to help improve the farming activities in Hilongos which can lead in an increase of income of the families in the area.

It benefits 14,988 individuals from 13 barangays namely, Brgy. Baas; Brgy. Bung-aw; Brgy. Campina; Brgy. Concepcion; Brgy. Imelda; Brgy. Kanghaas; Brgy. Kang-iras; Brgy. Manaul; Brgy. Paa; Brgy. Tabunok; Brgy. Tambis; Brgy. Tejero, and Brgy. Sto. Niño.

Present in the turnover ceremony was PRDP Project Support Office – Visayas Deputy Project Director Engr. Jose Albert A. Barrogo who also extended his congratulations on the success of the project. (Jennina June Leira Brosas, Writer, RPCO 8)

PRDP Project Support Office – Visayas Deputy Project Director Engr. Jose Albert A. Barrogo is also present during the ceremonial turnover to extend his congratulations on the success of the subproject construction.