Transforming lives in Buenavista, Bohol

In his mid-40s, Barangay Chairman Samuel Aparise of Panghagban, the most mountainous and farthest barangay in the town of Buenavista in Bohol, had experienced how it is to live without ready water supply and how it has shattered the lives of the people in the community.

“It was very hard not having our own water supply. We still had to walk 1.5 kilometers just to fetch water for our daily needs,” Samuel said, while relating how he reprimanded his kids when they wasted even just a drop.

“Not having water had made almost everyone in the community impatient and hot-tempered,” he said as he told about those living near their barangay’s basketball court would hide their water containers so that those playing basketball could not ask for a drink. Selfishness prevailed in the community, he said.

Then, KALAHI-CIDSS came, and life has never been the same again since. KALAHI-CIDSS was implemented in Buenavista, Bohol, in 2004 and ended in December 2008. Panghagban has benefited from the P1.9-million worth of water system project covering 70 households.

“The KALAHI-CIDSS brought great change to our barangay, not only due to the water system project, but also and, most importantly, through the barangay assemblies that have empowered even the poorest of the poor in our community,” said Samuel.

With the water system now, gone are the days when people would have to endure the heat of the sun and walk through the rough 1.5-kilometer road just to get water. “We can get water at any time of the day now. Gone are the days when children can only take a bath once or twice a week. Our kids now take a bath daily. Gone are the days when neighbors become hot-tempered and squabble over water. Our water system is now abundant, and we are even sharing with sitio Bunga in our neighboring barangay, which is also happy about KALAHI-CIDSS.”

On top of the basic benefits they got through the abundant water, Panghagban’s revenue has expanded as many families can now engage in income-generating projects, such as backyard gardening and piggery.

Because of KALAHI-CIDSS’ concept of mobilizing the basic sector to actively act, contribute, and get involved in all decision-making, the people of Panghagban have learned to speak their thoughts and develop their participation and leadership skills.

Samuel shared that they have formed a water association to manage the water project. “Until now we are still having our monthly meetings to discuss financial aspects and other sustainability concerns. We cannot afford to lose our water supply, so we are doing our best to maintain it.”

Another volunteer, 48-year-old Merlin Sepulveda, imparted how she used to shy away from crowds, but she is now acquiring a lot of responsibilities. “I have learned how to make project proposals and process documents—these are things I did not learn in school. Because of KALAHI-CIDSS, I am able to boost my self-confidence and work without bounds, even without pay,” she added. — Simeon III, of DSWD-7 Kalahi-CIDSS Social Marketing Unit