TVIRD hands over the tap to remote community
For many years, the residents of Makiang Centro, a remote barangay in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, have clamored for a potable water supply system. Just recently, their wish was granted. Makiang Centro became the first beneficiary under the newly approved Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) of TVI Resource Development Philippines, Inc (TVIRD). TVIRD turned over a water supply system to some 60 families living in Makiang Centro in just five weeks from the time the Company’s Community Relations and Development Office (CReDO) personnel conducted an Information-Education-Communication (IEC) campaign in the community. An Action Planning Activity was agreed with the community, and many of the residents provided volunteer work during construction.
“Dili matukib ang kalipay nga akong gibati gumikan kay gitubag sa TVI ang akong paningkamot ug gipangandoy nga makabaton ug limpyo ngawater supply sa Makiang Centro (I cannot put into words the happiness I feel since TVI responded to my efforts and desire to have a clean and safe water supply for Makiang Centro),” said Barangay Chairwoman Myrna Villaluna during the simple turnover ceremonies.
She disclosed that she had asked a number of government agencies for the project, but the timing was never quite right. Primed with a resolution drafted by the Makiang Barangay Council, Villaluna turned to TVIRD’s CReDO and, in no time, the community’s dream came true.
The water system, which cost some P350,000 to put up, now supplies potable water to around 380 residents composed of Tausug (a Muslim tribe), Subanon (an indigenous people, mostly animists), Kolibugan (Muslim-Subanons), and Visayan (mostly Christians), thru eight 430 liter-capacity communal tubs with two faucets and four tap stands strategically distributed around Sitio Tabok in this barangay. The water system consists of a 12 feet-by-6 feet-by-8 feet 18,000 liter-capacity reservoir, a filter box, and an intake dam.
The project was funded through TVIRD’s SDMP fund and through a community counterpart of P 22,000 in the form of civic work.
Isan Wahab, a barangay councilman and newly elected of Centro Makiang Water Supply System Association (CMWSA), also gave a heartfelt speech: “Dugay na kaayo kita naghulat niini na project. Puro lang kita gipasaligan apan wala nahatag. Kun wala pa naningkamot si Kapitana sa pagpatabang sa TVI, dili gayud kini mahimo. Dili man diay tinuod nga ang kumpanya nagdauog-daug sa atoa, nagtabang pa man hinuon. Salamat kaayo TVI. (We have waited for this project for so long. We were just given promises but these were not kept. If not for our Chairwoman, who asked for TVI’s assistance, this could not have materialized. It is, therefore, not true that the company is oppressing us, they are even helping us. Thank you very much TVI).”
TVIRD Department Managers headed by CReDO’s Thess Limpin attended the turnover ceremonies and the tour around the project area, which included river-crossing and mountain-trekking.
Barangay Makiang is one TVIRD’s impact communities near its gold-copper mine at Sitio Canatuan, Barangay Tabayo, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte in Southern Philippines (Rene Patangan).
