Guv Leads Groundbreaking of Water Systems in Alegria, Argao

Cebu Governor Hilario P. Davide III, along with Capitol officials, led the ground-breaking ceremony of the P95.6 million Alegria Integrated Potable Water Supply Project and the P2.2 million water system in Argao last July 12.

“Providing potable water to the remote areas of Cebu is the embodiment of our commitment, Kalambuan sa matag Sugbuanon,” said Davide.

The potable water project in Alegria, funded by World Bank through Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP), will benefit eight of the nine barangays of the town namely Compostela, Guadalupe, Legaspi, Madridejos, Montpeller, Poblacion, Santa Filomena and Valencia.

Barangay Lepanto already has an existing water system located in the highest level among all barangays.

The Level III water system in Sitio Kabulihan, Barangay Gutlang, Argao is funded by the provincial government and supplies potable water in the said barangay as well as its neighboring communities.

“Importante kaayo ning tubig mao nang usa ni sa priority sa inyong provincial government,” said Davide.

He even urged Cebu mayors at the start of his administration to put water supply project on top of their priority list.

Fund sources

Alegria will not spend a single centavo for the P95.6 million water project as P76.48 million portion is covered by the Philippine Government’s soft loan from the World Bank.

The P9.56 million is the counterpart fund of the national government while the remaining P9.56 million is the counterpart fund of Cebu province.

“In behalf of the people of Alegria, I would like to extend our warmest and sincere thanks to our Lord God Almighty and to all the people behind the realization of this very much needed project of ours,” said Magallon.

She also thanked the administration of Davide and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale for helping them realize the project.

The town’s 3,187 households, living in eight of the town’s nine barangays, will benefit from the safe water next year, according to the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) study.

“It’s a dream come true for Alegrianhon that potable water supply can already be available in their respective homes,” Magallon said.

Water sources

Water will be sourced from three natural springs, capable of giving out 2,972 cubic meters of water daily, to fill up four water reservoirs.

The 63-kilometer Level II water system has communal faucet endings, each shared by five to six households, said Alegria Municipal Planning and Development officer (MPDO) Engr. Tito Cavalida.

To ensure efficiency and quality of the project, PEO waterworks supervisor Engr. Panfi Añana said they will be conducting regular hydro-testing to detect water leaks in the pipeline network, and material testing to ensure the quality of concrete and pipes.

The governor saw the need to provide an efficient and safe water system in Alegria which was repeatedly hit by typhoid fever in previous years because of its poor water system.

In November 2007, typhoid fever downed more than a 100 residents in Sitio Inghoy, Barangay Valencia and in December 2010, more than 300 residents in barangays Sta. Filomena and Poblacion got hit by typhoid fever.

Again on July 2011, DOH attended to 142 typhoid cases in barangays Madridejos and Valencia while in March 19, 2012, local news reported 13 typhoid patients in barangays Legaspi and Poblacion.

This prompted local government to seek the help of the national government through PRDP.

PRDP is a six-year project designed to establish the government platform for a modern, climate-smart and market-oriented agri-fishery sector.

PRDP partners with the LGUs and the private sector in providing key infrastructure, facilities, technology, and information that will raise incomes, productivity, and competitiveness in the countryside.

Financial assistance

Aside from the Alegria water system ground-breaking ceremony, Davide also turned over two checks worth P12.6 million to Mayor Verna Magallon with Cebu 7th district congressman Peter John Calderon, and Provincial Board members Christopher Baricuatro and Jerome Librando.

The first check worth P5.5 million was given to provide assistance in the improvement of its tourism infrastructure set up as the town hosts the famous canyoneering river adventure.

The other P7.1 million-worth check will be used to finish the town hall which includes the chief executive and legislative offices.

Before the ceremony, the governor turned over 695 plastic armchairs for the towns’ six elementary schools in a simple ceremony at Alegria Central School. OCP

cebu.gov.ph