Potable water, still the cry of most remote villages in Paranas

By NINFA BARCENA-QUIRANTE
July 13, 2006

CATBALOGAN, Samar  –  Potable water is what most barangays need in Paranas town!

This was one of the top priority sub-projects of KALAHI–CIDSS project proposed by 24 barangays in Paranas after a Consultative Forum was conducted.

According to Yvette Nachura, Program coordinator of KALAHI 24 barangays listed potable water supply as their priority need, be the barangay in carline area, coastline or in the hinterland.

Other project runners up include three concrete bridges, two hanging bridges, road regravelling, two farm-to market roads, one Day Care Center, two tractors, four Upland Farming Development project and one rice mill.

But nothing comes close to potable water at least in the number of clamor.

The entire KALAHI project for one year will pour some 12 million pesos while LGU Paranas through Mayor Elvira Babalcon pledged to pitch in some 3.9 million as their 30% counterpart. Each LGU baranagay is also expected to contribute either in minimal sums of the labor counterpart.

Nachura, however, urged the barangay officials to be patient because some 16 unavoidable steps of the program has yet to be undertaken, she added that these are all designed to ensure smooth operations of the project.

Some sectors in the barangay, said one unidentified villager has impatiently called the project “KALAHI-KALANGAN” (the last word roughly translated taking a long time).

“They should give us the project immediately because it is from GMA,” said one elderly.

Nachura painstakingly persuaded the beneficiaries to wait and explained to them how the perceived long process will eventually be advantageous to them. Steps include grouping and regrouping and long deliberations as to the kind of project and the actual need of the village. The cost-efficiency aspect would also be considered.

KALAHI is President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s flagship project aimed at reducing poverty, enhancing governance and empowering the barangay, Nachura told PIA.

In Pinabacdao, Samar, the project is now on its second cycle, which means that they have been enjoying the fruits of KALAHI for sometime now.

Based on a text message received by PIA from Community Development Information Officer (CDIO) Edgar Cabutin, Mayor Mario Quijano has inaugurated four finished KALAHI sub-projects of the 19 targets.