Before the construction of the Level II Potable Water System, the residents of Tiwi, Albay spent as much as Php600.00 per week just to secure water for their households.

According to Joan Silot, Barangay Administrative Aide of Brgy. Putsan, before the project, it was difficult for them to have water in their households since they had to fetch ground water from a well, which was quite far. They rely on tricycle drivers to help them fetch water, with each bucket costing P5.00. If they needed ten buckets in a day, they would spend Php50.00. 

“Laking pasasalamat po kasi sa katagal-tagalan po, bata pa ako halos ngayon lang po nagkaroon ng patubig dito kasi kahit wala pa ako noon ganun na talaga ang sistema ng tubig dito sa Tiwi”, she added.

This was during the Final Inspection of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Bicol for the I-BUILD ongoing subproject Tiwi Level II Potable Water System (PWS), headed by Engr. Teodoro Eleda, PRDP Bicol Deputy Project Director, on February 26-27, 2025.

Present during the inspection were the inspectorate team, which included the Project Support Office (PSO) South Luzon, Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO) I-BUILD, Social Environmental Safeguards (SES), and Geo-mapping and Governance Unit (GGU).

The team inspected the following constructed units: one (1) Reservoir (Small Impounding Dam), two (2) Spring Intake Boxes, one (1) Header/Collection Tank, one (1) Water Filtration/Treatment Facility, seven (7) Break-Pressure Tanks, two (2) Junction Tanks, five (5) Distribution/Storage Tanks, and six (6) freeway fire hydrants.

They also checked the 785 tap stands with 1,184 faucets, which will benefit 14 barangays of Tiwi with a total population of 24,113 individuals composed of 5,331 households. Each faucet will serve 4-6 households. The residents were already using it for washing, cleaning, and laundry. The team reminded the residents that the water needs to be tested first before declaring that it is good for drinking.

During the exit meeting, the PRDP inspectorate team presented minimal findings for project completion prior to turnover. They gave positive feedback to the LGU of Tiwi, noting that the project is well-executed and beneficial.

According to Municipal Mayor Jaime Villanueva of Tiwi, Albay, the Municipal Government is in the process of establishing the BAWASA, which will be responsible for operating and maintaining the water system in the community. They have already allocated a budget for the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Plan of the water system.

Final inspection is being conducted once the project is complete, prior to its official turnover. It ensures that the completion of a PRDP funded project is in accordance with its specifications, the project is fully operational and adheres to all quality standards before it is officially deemed complete, and the remaining funds are fully disbursed. # (Shaira Enimedez, PRDP Bicol InfoACE Unit)

The inspectorate team, which included the Project Support Office (PSO) South Luzon, Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO) I-BUILD, Social Environmental Safeguards (SES), and Geo-mapping and Governance Unit (GGU) inspected the Tiwi Level II Potable Water System (PWS).

Resident from Brgy. Bolo, Tiwi, Albay has already used the water for washing, cleaning, and laundry.