Mandaue opens water system for urban poor

CEBU, Philippines - A new community in barangay Tipolo, Mandaue City now has its own faucet-type water system, sourced out from a reservoir built just within the compound.

The project is in line with Mandaue City government and private sector partnership program, designed to give the public better access to basic services.

“For the first time in our life, we experienced taking a shower,” said Domelita Subang, who heads Lower Tipolo Homeowners’ Association, Inc (LTHAI).

LTHAI is composed of 255 landless and now homeowners.

The water system was formally inaugurated last Friday, opening the reservoir for residents.

Tubig Pag-asa and Water and Life through the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) was behind the project.

LTHAI just recently occupied this city-owned donated lot, realized through the partnership of Philippine Action for Community-led Shelter Initiatives (PACSI), which paved way for the construction of the brick houses.

Each house costs P85,000, payable by the homeowners through an easy installment plan.

According to the city public information office, before the water reservoir was opened, residents had to walk to a neighboring area to fetch water.

Under the agreement, every household will pay the P5,000 installation cost shouldered by Tubig Pag-asa in 64 weeks, or P15 a day. The rate is the cheapest so far at P1 per container of 20 liters compared to the commercial rate of P3 per 20 liters.

“Our aim to help the least of our brothers and sisters enjoy this important resource,” said Celine Santillan, Tubig Pagasa spokesman. (FREEMAN)