Alumnos folk complain vs. fencing of artesian well

Over 100 residents of sitio Alumnos, barangay Basak-San Nicolas signed a petition complaining before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas against their barangay captain Mario Susaya who reportedly fenced the lot where a 1925 artesian well is located.

In their complaint, a copy of which was furnished to The FREEMAN, the residents said that Susaya, who acquired the lot where the old artesian well is located, deprived them of clean water supply by fencing the lot that occupies the old artesian well, and even closing the road right-of-way.

"We just want justice and fairness to emerge in this case of obvious abusive use of authority," the complaint said.

But Susaya said he wanted the residents to use the new artesian well.

Residents reportedly persuaded earlier the previous lot owner to sell to them the portion where the old artesian well is located and the portion, which was used by the residents as road right-of-way. They argued that being the adjacent lot owners to the lot for sale, they should be given the priority in acquiring the property.

Tubig project head Rufina Adlawan, in her letter addressed to the Department of Public Services, recommended that the old artesian well be closed for the welfare of the residents of sitio Alumnos.

Adlawan added that Susaya already constructed concrete fence on the lot, which had enclosed the old artesian well, giving them difficulties in fetching water.

"The new artesian well is outside of the fence and blocks the road right-of-way with width that's almost one meter after the completion of the concrete fence," Adlawan said.

Even if Susaya acquired the lot, they argued that the barangay captain should prioritize the welfare of his constituents by not depriving them of their right to obtain clean water supply.

"It is a pitiful sight to see people queuing to fetch unsafe water aside from it being an obstruction to passersby," the complainants said. - Garry B. Lao