By Franklin P. Gumapon
MARGOSATUBIG, Zamboanga del Sur – A water system project
here funded under the Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig Para sa Lahat (SaLinTubig)
program of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) will soon be
completed, as the second tranche of the P10.62-million budget was released to
Mayor Roy E. Encallado recently.
The Digon-Igat Island Level II water system, which is now 35 percent
complete since it was started last September, is going to benefit 552
households that used to fetch water on horses at P10 per container.
DILG-9 Regional Director Paisal O. Abutazil said during the turnover of
the check that he would be happy to see the local government units (LGUs)
implement and manage their projects wisely.
“Napakaswerte ng LGU na nakatanggap ng pundo mula sa pamahalaan (the LGU
is fortunate to have received funding from the government),” Director Abutazil
said adding “this is not a loan but a grant to the LGUs.”
“Although the barangays of Digon and Igat Island have existing water
system, the water supply remains a problem in the area,” Engr. Alex Villarin
reported.
“Once completed, the water system project will also serve as an economic
enterprise in the village,” Villarin added.
SaLinTubig is DILG’s lone program enrolled under the national
government’s Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) approach with the end in view of uplifting
the poorest sector in the country.
As a grant, the program also seeks to enhance and improve the capacities
of the LGUs and water service providers in planning, implementation, operation
and management of water supply facilities as well as the implementation of
water supply projects in waterless municipalities and barangays. (FPG/PIA9 with
reports from Lemuel Mejares)
