Quezon province farmers to get potable water supply from DAR

San Narciso, Quezon– More than 400 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) of Brgy. Busokbusokan, San Narciso, Quezon are expected to benefit and have access to safe potable water supply through DAR’s Community-managed Potable Water Supply (CPWaSH) Project.

The project was formally launched through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the DAR Quezon II Provincial Office, the Municipal Local Government Unit (MLGU) of San Narciso, Quezon, and the Brgy. Busokbusokan and Busokbusokan San Narciso Irrigators’ Association (BUSNIA).

Carlito T. Ralia, President of BUSNIA assured the partner-agencies that their group shall exert all efforts to ensure the success and sustainability of the project.

"You can count on us to maintain the structures as our contribution and show of appreciation to the project, which we know will be very beneficial to us,” he said.

Engr. Cornelio P. Villapando, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II, led the signing with San Narciso Municipal Mayor Florabelle U. Uy-Yap, BLGU representative Rosita L. Buzar and Ralia

The joint project, amounting to Php 168,000.00 will benefit community residents in Barangay Busok-Busokan, where majority of its farmer-residents are ARBs. Under the project, five (5) units of Biosand Filter, five (5) units of iron removal filter, and one (1) unit of rainwater collector would be installed in pre-selected sites within the barangay.

The criteria for the selection of site include the proximity to traditional sources of water and to the densely populated areas. The Sangguniang Barangay and BUSNIA are tasked to manage the project.

"The project will have a big impact on the health and hygiene of the community. I am very grateful to all the agencies and organizations that helped in the launching of this project.” Villapando said.

He emphasized that the CPWaSH Project is among the projects of DAR Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III in line with the vision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to implement responsive projects to uplift the living conditions of Filipinos in the country.

Based on the signed agreement, DAR shall provide the necessary financial, technical, and logistical support, while the target community, through the Sangguniang Bayan and BUSNIA, will shoulder labor and manpower requirements. The MLGU is expected to provide the materials and support to facilitate replication of the project in other areas which need potable water.

CPWaSH was first introduced in Quezon II in 2013 and has been implemented in 10 municipalities including Mulanay, Gumaca, General Luna, and Catanauan.

To date, the project has continuously provided safe, accessible, and clean water to more than 500 ARBs and their families in Quezon II alone.