Two far-flung areas of Barangay San Jose to benefit the first-ever potable water system
Water is one of the most precious resources the earth has and indeed, everyone cannot imagine how lives go through without the presence of water. Hence, this is one of the reasons why the national government, and local and barangay government units were persistent in putting up the potable water system in the remote areas.
As it happens, the two (2) far-flung areas of Barangay San Jose, specifically the Prk. Lower Supon and Prk. Upper Cadidang will benefit from the first-ever potable water system worth Php4,000,000.00, following the conduct of a groundbreaking ceremony just recently. The project was funded under the Local Government Support Fund-Support to the Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDP) of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). Thus, the infinite sweetness of smiles from the grantees was perceived as their affliction in obtaining water from a very distant spring is come to an end.
San Jose was chosen to be a recipient of the said project after it was included in one of the NTF-ELCAC targeting barangays. Consequently, Engr. Johnjovi Z. Angor, Barangay Development Program-Special Education Fund (BDP-SEF) Coordinator said that Sitio Supon will have to wait 130 days and 116 days for Sitio Kadidang to complete the said project.
City Mayor Atty. Eliordo U. Ogena assured that providing drinking water will also deliver to other barangays because his administration is committed not only for short-term plans but has long-term solutions prepared that will leave a legacy in the community.
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Rochelle Sero, on the other hand, hopes that the project will be used properly and harmoniously shared with by the recipients. She is also optimistic about the additional development for the NTF-ELCAC targeting barangay because the government does not sleep at all and it is constantly looking for solutions to any pressing problems.
Meanwhile, as the chairperson of the Committee on Education, Councilor Ester Marin Catorce said that the dirt-free water is a great help not only to the elderly but especially to the children who have to bathe every day before going to school. Further, Indigenous People’s Mandatory (IPM) Representative Antonio S. Abing also stated that his office never stops searching for ways to help the IP communities in the city.
Barangay Chairman Danilo Simtim acknowledged that their barangay is privileged enough to have the said potable water system because, in the entire City of Koronadal, San Jose is the sole beneficiary of the ELCAC project.
NTF-ELCAC was established with the end goal of bringing development to former conflict-ridden communities. As indicated in Executive Order (EO) 70, the program committed to harmonizing the delivery of basic services and social development packages in conflict-affected and vulnerable communities in pursuit of the country’s peace and development agenda.
Moreover, among others who graced the activities were City Councilor Eina Jumilla, City Administrator Atty. Rene Jumilla, Barangay Council, purok leaders, some department heads, and beneficiaries of the project.