Vira Vira gears up for expansion

Vira Vira Rural Waterworks and Sanitation Association, Incorporated is presently serving more than 6,000 residents of barangays Subec, Saguigui, Baduang, Burayoc and Saud in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.

Vira Vira Rural Waterworks and Sanitation Association, Incorporated (RWSAI) is looking into the possibility of expanding its area of operations in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.

Jojo V. Constantino, general manager of Vira Vira, said they are presently supplying potable water in Barangays Subec, Saguigui, Baduang, Burayoc and Saud.

“We would like also to extend our services to Barangays Caparispisan and Poblacion Dos,” said Constantino.

Vira Vira was established in late 1980s through the assistance of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the water and sanitation program of the World Bank.

The Pagudpud municipal government and barangay residents also gave their equity for the startup operations of the water system.

Alex L. Malapit, chairman of the board of directors of Vira Vira RWSAI, said before Vira Vira came, they relied on barangay water system.

“But since it could only serve a small portion of the population, many of us fetched our drinking water from a ‘bubon-bubon’ or a hole we dug along the riverbank,” Malapit lamented.

It was a health problem since the river also served as the “toilet and wash basin” of many residents then. During those days, diseases, like diarrhea was a daily nightmare.

Today, Vira Vira is serving more than 6,000 residents of its area of coverage. At only P62 per month, a household is supplied with affordable and safe water from the Vira Vira Spring in Saguigui.

In return for the support of the community, Vira Vira is giving cash mutual aid, senior citizen’s discount and free water supply to public schools, barangays halls, day care centers and cemeteries.

“But we are not resting on our laurels. Our ultimate goal is to have a municipality-wide operation,” Constantino added.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Vic M. Ines has given assurance that the DAR office in Ilocos Norte will always be there to assist Vira Vira in their plans and operation.

#AgrarianReformPH #SupportServicesDelivery