Singaporean Students Build Water System in Iloilo School

1 of 3

By Mariela Angella Oladive

A group of students from the National University of Singapore (NUS) funded and built a water system and wash area at Layog Elementary School in Maasin, Iloilo, benefiting more than 170 pupils.

The Water System with Wash Area Project was implemented under the university’s Operation Orion program and officially turned over to school and barangay officials on Tuesday, June 2.

The project was completed in partnership with the Iloilo Provincial Government’s Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project.

Valued at PHP400,000, the initiative includes a 2,000-liter stainless steel tank mounted on a 3-meter steel tower, a wash area with a catch basin, and plumbing to ensure access to clean, potable water.

Provincial Administrator Dr. Raul Banias led the turnover ceremony, joined by Maasin Mayor Francis Amboy, Layog Elementary School Principal Victoria Fe Masculino, Barangay Layog Captain Virgilio Portillo, and Provincial DRRM Office head Cornelio Salinas, a native of Maasin.

Representatives from the Provincial Engineer’s Office, Provincial Planning and Development Office, and Innovate Iloilo also attended.

Liu Jiaying, Operation Orion project director, said the initiative reflects their commitment to improving public health and education in underserved communities.

“We hope this water system will benefit both the staff and pupils of Layog Elementary School and contribute to a more comfortable and healthier learning environment,” she said.

She also thanked the local officials and residents for their hospitality and support.

The turnover marked the end of a 15-day youth expedition in the community involving 24 NUS students.

Aside from overseeing the water project, the group participated in cultural exchange and community-building activities.

They conducted remedial classes, painted murals on the school façade, and shared native Singaporean dishes with local residents.

The students also visited several community initiatives in Iloilo, including the Chips of Hope project in Barangay Quipot, Janiuay; the Cabayogan Women Loom Weavers Association in Badiangan; and Maasin’s bamboo industry.

Dr. Banias said the collaboration with NUS was rekindled during a Zoom reunion last year with his former expedition partners in Singapore.

Banias, who initiated a similar youth expedition program during his term as Concepcion mayor, said the partnership demonstrates the power of continuity and shared purpose.

“It started with a virtual conference and now we are establishing a global partnership with Singapore. We have translated those digital discussions into tangible results here in Layog,” he said.

Operation Orion is a long-running community engagement initiative led by NUS students from various academic disciplines and has been active for more than 20 years.