Iloilo villages get PHP 47.5M for water projects

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Thirteen barangays across Iloilo will build new community water systems after the Iloilo provincial government released PHP 47.5 million in financial assistance for the projects.

Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. turned over the checks to village officials during a ceremonial distribution on June 26, with the funding intended to improve access to safe and reliable water in rural communities.

Barangay Yabon in Janiuay received the biggest allocation at PHP 5 million.

Barangays Botlog and Dungan in Concepcion, along with Barangay Talo-ato in San Dionisio, each received PHP 4.5 million.

Barangay Capaycapay in Dueñas received PHP 4 million.

Barangays Onop in Miag-ao, Salngan in Oton, Burak in Maasin, and Tambunac in San Enrique each received PHP 3.5 million.

Barangays Ban-ag in Alimodian and Guibuangan in Mina each received PHP 3 million.

Barangays Mambuyo in Sta. Barbara and Pamul-ogan in Cabatuan were allotted PHP 2.5 million each.

The provincial government said the water system projects are expected to provide residents with a more dependable source of potable water once completed.

The projects are also expected to improve sanitation, ease the burden of fetching water, and promote better public health in beneficiary communities.

The funding supports the provincial government’s broader effort to improve water access in underserved communities under the Iloilo Province Integrated Water Security Plan, or IPIWSP.

The IPIWSP is a long-term roadmap launched earlier this year to help Iloilo achieve water security by 2035.

The initiative comes as Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office data showed that only 11 of Iloilo’s 43 local government units currently meet the national benchmark for safely managed drinking water services.