Pinili residents get potable water system from DILG’s water program

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff reporter

Pinili, Ilocos Norte—Finally, the long wait is over for a remote village in this town to have its own potable water system.

On August 11, residents of Brgy. Pugaoan, located about 3 kilometers from the town proper witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony for the  water supply system project under the Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig sa Lahat (Salintubig) Program of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Attended by local officials led by Pinili Mayor Samuel Pagdilao and DILG representatives, the P8.2 million worth potable water system project is expected to benefit about a thousand households in this tobacco-farming barangay.

The SALINTUBIG program is designed to provide water supply systems for waterless municipalities. It is also intended to enhance/improve local capacities of Local Government Units (LGUs) and water service providers in planning, implementation, operation and management of water supply facilities in a sustainable manner. The program is a joint undertaking of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health (DOH) and the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC).

As a priority project under President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III’s Universal Health Program, the SALINTUBIG is a grant given to LGUs awarded with a Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH), one of the guidelines to be considered as beneficiary of the project.

Also, it hopes to address water-related diseases due to poor water sanitation and have equal access to communal sources of potable water.

Sharing the excitement with fellow residents from Pinili, Maria Richelle Bravo, a registered nurse of Brgy. Puguaoan said their barangay is blessed for being chosen as the host community. 

She said local residents here depend mostly on old deep wells or kulukol which has been observed diminishing over the years.

Expected to be completed after a period of 6 months or by early 2015, the project will provide clean water supply for domestic use of residents Puguaoan and its neighboring villages. This will also address the old water system, ensuring the safe potable water for Pinili residents.