Roxas Releases P8.5M for various anti-poverty projects in Bataan ~ HUMAN RIGHTS PROMOTIONS

Friday, May 8, 2015

Roxas Releases P8.5M for various anti-poverty projects in Bataan

Friday, May 08, 2015 Herbert Curia - Promoter No comments

From the Website of DILG
links: http://www.dilg.gov.ph/news/Roxas-attributes-DILGs-success-to-LCEs/NC-2015-1108

Roxas Releases P8.5M for various anti-poverty projects in Bataan

Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Mar Roxas today, May 7, handed over P8.5 million in checks for various anti-poverty projects benefitting 5 Municipalities in the Province of Bataan.

The funds include two checks worth P500,000 each for the Municipality of Abucay’s water and flood control projects; P1.4 million for a water project in the Municipality of Bagac; P2.5 million for an evacuation center in the Municipality of Dinalupihan; P2.5 million for an evacuation center in the Muncipality of Samal; and another P4 million water supply project for the Municipality of Pilar.

Local officials of the beneficiary-municipalities received the checks during simple rites held at the Barangay Hall of Payangan in the town of Dinalupihan.

Roxas was in Bataan to visit some of the completed projects to ensure that they were successfully implemented and are being properly maintained by the beneficiaries.

SALINTUBIG, safe drinking water for all

The P3-million Level II (communal faucet) Water Project in Barangay Payangan was implemented under the Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig Para sa Lahat (SALINTUBIG) program, from which 270 families, including 30 Aeta families living in the community, now get their drinking water.

The project involved the construction of a concrete water reservoir, which required the laying of pipes from the water source—a natural spring in Barangay San Pablo some 3 kilometers away—to the houses in the community, allowing the beneficiaries to access safe and potable water. It was completed in July 2013 and is now being maintained by the project beneficiaries.

A total of 270 households are now connected to the SALINTUBIG pipes, and water rationing is being conducted for proper distribution.

From 2012 to 2014, the DILG has implemented 8 SALINTUBIG projects in Region 3, two of which are in Bataan. One of the projects is ongoing in Mariveles.

SALINTUBIG is part of Aquino administration’s commitment to achieve the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) signed by over 180 heads of state in 2000. One of the targets of the MDGs is to reduce the number of people with no access to water and sanitation by half by 2015.

In addition, the SALINTUBIG program aims to provide waterless communities in remote areas with safe, drinking water supply and reduce the risk of water-borne diseases in “poorest of the poor areas.”

Residents of Barangay Payangan were elated for having been chosen as the project’s beneficiaries.

“Dati, kailangan kumuha ng tubig sa malayo para sa inumin at panggamit araw araw. Dahil sa proyekto, nakatipid kami at hindi na nahihirapan dahil may tubig na sa lugar namin,” Olivia Clemente, an Aeta and tribal representative in the barangay said.

She said people in the community do not have the means or resources to implement such an important project and had to fetch water from a stream some 3 kilometers away or a natural spring elsewhere.

“Sa eskwelahan kumukuha din ng tubig ang mga tao. Wala naman din pera pambili ng mineral water, kaya minsan, may nagkakasakit,” she added.

Barangay officials also used to share the same concern until the SALINTUBIG project was completed in their area.

"Dati, kailangan mo pa maghanap ng makukunan ng tubig. Maghahakot ka mula sa baba paakyat sa lugar namin. Kung hindi naman, magpaigib ka at magbayad P10 isang balde," said Barangay Payangan Chairman Ramir S. Fernando.

"Today, each household is charged P30 a month for the maintenance of the water reservoir," he added.

From one water reservoir, there are now three, which are strategically located in the community.

"Dati, P100 isang drum ang ginastos namin," said Bernadette Prado, a retail store owner, citing how economical and practical the DILG project was for her livelihood.

Battling the effects of El Nino

During his Bataan visit, Roxas also met with community leaders in Barangay Payangan, including Aeta leaders, where he underscored the need to conserve water in the face of El Nino being experienced in the province.

As vice chairman for preparedness of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Roxas stressed the importance of water in both agricultural and domestic activities, especially in areas where the commodity is scarce.

El Nino is the prolonged warming of the Pacific Ocean causing erratic weather systems. This results to the drier-than-normal weather in the Philippines.

Roxas was accompanied by local officials led by Bataan Governor Albert Raymond Garcia, Vice Governor Efren Bonjong Pascual, Dinalupihan Mayor Maria Angela S. Garcia, and Samal Mayor Generosa dela Fuente during his visit, where he enjoined local and community leaders to work hand-in-hand with the national government to alleviate poverty and improve the lives of the people.

"Sa pagbisita ko, gumaan ang loob ko at natuwa ako dahil sa dulo ng lahat ng pagtatrabaho, sa lahat ng mga ito, mayroong pamilya, mayroong komunidad na magkakaroon ng gripo na may tubig na ligtas at sagana," Roxas told local leaders.

“’Pag sama-sama at nagtutulungan ang national government, ang local government, at ang taumbayan, maisasakatuparan ang magagandang programa at proyekto. Hindi namin kayo pababayaan," he added.