“ We’re very happy to hear from LGUs that implemented and managed their projects wisely”, said Regional Director Paisal O. Abutazil of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), upon turning over the second tranche check in his office on October 24, 2013 to Hon.Mayor Roy E. Encallado of Margosatubig.
“Napakaswerte ng LGU na nakatanggap ng pondo mula sa pamahalaan” (Lucky are the recipient LGUs that receive funding from the government). This is not a loan but a grant to them, RD Abutazil added.
A total amount of Php 10,620,000.00, being released in two tranches, under the Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig Para sa Lahat program shall be used for the construction of Digon-Igat Island Level II water system of the said town.
Engineer Alex Villarin said that the barangays of Digon and Igat Island have existing water systems but insufficient to supply the residents. Due to hilly location, the difficulty in hauling and delivering potable water to respective residences becomes the primary problem of the people who opted to hire horses and pay Php 10.00 per container before its distribution to their respective residences.
“This project can now greatly assist in providing potable water service at the two barangays and at the same time, if completed, be operated as an economic enterprise of the benefiting village” Engr. Villarin added.
“At present the project is now 35 % accomplished which started last September 6, 2013 by contract under MOLROW Construction that will benefit 552 residential households” said Hon. Jerome Realis, Chairman of the Committee on Appropriation & Infrastructure who likewise witnessed the turn-over.
It is important to note that the Sagana At Ligtas na Tubig para sa Lahat (SALINTUBIG) is the lone Program of DILG enrolled under the national government’s Buttom Up Budgeting (BUB) approach which aims to improve the implementation of projects and programs and uplift the poorest sector in the country.
Designed to provide grant financing and capacity development, the program aims to enhance/improve capacities of the LGUs and water service providers in planning, implementation and operation and management of water supply facilities in a sustainable manner and for the implementation of water supply projects in the waterless municipalities and poorest barangays without access to safe water.