WATER PROJECT. The local government unit of San Miguel in Surigao del Sur holds a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday (Oct. 18, 2023) marking the start of the implementation of the PHP150-million Water System Phase I project in Barangay Bolhoon. The project will directly benefit 1,000 households in the barangay and 11 other nearby communities. (Photo courtesy of San Miguel LGU)
BUTUAN CITY – Over a thousand households of the indigenous Manobo tribe stand to benefit from the PHP150 million water system being funded and implemented by a local government unit in Surigao del Sur.
In a statement Thursday, the San Miguel town government said the project will provide a safe, potable drinking water to the Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities in the area.
“Access to clean and safe drinking water will bring improved health outcomes among the residents and help prevent waterborne diseases in communities,” the statement said.
The project broke ground Wednesday in Mandaguhong Spring in Barangay Bolhoon, San Miguel town, one of the remote and conflict-affected villages in the municipality.
In an interview on Thursday, Datu Rico Maca, the IP Mandatory Representative of San Miguel, said 11 other neighboring barangays of Bolhoon will also benefit from the project.
“We are thankful to the administration of Mayor Michael Corilla for giving priority to the needs of our IP communities, especially the potable water,” Maca said.
The lack of access to clean and safe drinking water is a major issue affecting the indigenous communities in the area, particularly the children.
Maca said the project "will end the difficulties the IP communities have experienced for a long time fetching water from distant sources.
In a separate interview, Bolhoon tribal chieftain Datu Talok Bocales also acknowledged the government for not neglecting the basic needs of the Manobo tribe in San Miguel.
“Aside from health benefits, the availability of potable water will help our farmers devote much of their time to agriculture production,” he said. (PNA)
