When water runs out, most of them opted to transfer to higher parts of the river’s trail, carrying pales and basin to do laundry and heavy containers holding fresh water that would quench their thirst and aid them to finish daily household chores.
“Pasalamat mi nga naa nami tubig dire, kay ug muadto mi ug sapa nga layo kaayo sa tanan, mag sige mi ug balon, usahay mag gukod pa mi sa tubig kay mahubsan naman.” said Rosalie Chiokiet.
More or less four months since the PAMANA (Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan) started their project to construct and improve the water system of the community, the long-wait for a good source of potable water is over.
On July 16, 2020 the Blessing and Turn-Over Ceremony of the Water System was held in the community, formally giving them what they need and deserve. The project was made possible through the coordination of the Provincial Local Government of Davao de Oro and Municipal LGU of Pantukan.
With the new water system, about 90 households in Sitio Gemilina will now benefit from the project, giving them the comfort, making chores easier, thereby eradicating difficulty in getting a good source of water.
Sitio Lawaan is one of the beneficiary in extending development interventions to isolated, hard to reach and conflict-affected communities under the national government’s convergence program, the PAMANA which partners with implementing agencies, ensuring that there will be no communities left behind.
For the residents of the sitio, the fulfillment of their hardship brought a big impact in their lives. The importance of water is eternal as thousands have lived without love, but no one without water.
(Jasteen Abella, Information Division Davao de Oro)
