Part of the interview of the final evaluation relative to the implementation of water services is to generate responses from the BWSA and community the problems and challenges encountered on the implementation of local water services including also the personal stories and the impact of the projects to the lives of the beneficiaries.
Chiwara said that it is important to assess the results of the Joint-program in order to improve and enhance some areas such as finances, planning and assistance.
“Water is a governance issue for it serves community. In this governance, there must be mutual accountability by the consumer and the provider. The provider must see to it that the delivery of basic services in providing accessible and potable water must be properly managed.” said Chiwara.
“However, the consumer must also bear the responsibility of paying promptly their water bills. It’s your right to have water but maintenance and services are not free,” he added.
To the municipality of Katipunan, Chiwara said “Think of Innovative ways, recommending the initiative of the LGU to engage in Public Private Partnership (PPP), private investors, banking agreement and developing other partnership with JICA, AUSAID etc. to augment the financial matters in water services”.
Mayor Crisostomo T. Eguia of Katipunan responded that at present the LGU is capacitating water sanitation in three (3) barangays. The 10 Million fund acquired from DOH on 2011 is now on 90% completion to five (5) barangays and in the 2.4 M allocated under Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) 2013 of DILG, they have identified seven (7) areas mostly interior barangays to benefit on the expansion and rehabilitation of water services.
Chiwara also suggested on strengthening the BWSA and that they must be capacitated to mobilize, manage and operate the water system since all are players in the sustainable delivery of this water service.
To the municipality of Kalawit particulary Barangay New Calamba, Chiwara highlighted that the operation of BWSA is remarkable in many ways. In the interview, he found out that the Joint-Program elevates the livelihood of the community and reduces the risk of water-borne diseases.
One of the recipient testified that before the BWSA, they have to spend more time on fetching water than doing the task in the field or in the house. She also added that the operation of BWSA has increased their financial income.
Mayor Eugenio B. Baliling Sr. of Katipunan also assured that by the end of 2015, 85%-90% of the town will have access to water as part of the major programs they have given priorities next to livelihood.
These are some of the good stories that come out from the interview that can be replicated in developing other joint program, said Chiwara.