• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The more than 150 households in Sitio Tiguisan, Barangay Montilla, in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, continue to benefit from easy access to potable water through the Agos Program of the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, in partnership with the Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation Inc. (AIDFI).
From walking for almost two kilometers to-and-fro – and passing through steepish, rugged terrain – just to fetch water from the river, the households, with about 445 beneficiaries, are now assured potable water from the comfort of their own backyard via the ramp pumps and water kiosks of AIDFI.
The ram, according to AIDFI, is a device which uses hydro power “to lift a portion of this water to high elevations 24/7, meaning it does not need any fuel or electricity to operate the pump”. This water system also includes a catchment tank, drive pipes, and delivery and distribution lines.
Dutch marine engineer Auke Idzenga, co-founder and chief executive officer of the multi-awarded AIDFI, recalled that there were only 92 households when the project started in 2012. “Tiguisan residents before had no access to water. The only way to get water is to go down the river. When the ram pump came, it breached that difficulty. Instead na sila ang bumababa, yung tubig na mismo ang inaakyat ng ram pump without the use of any electricity or fuel.”
“When we started here, there were about 92 households. Immediately, when the water came up, (other residents) started moving towards where the water was. Right now, there are 157 households benefiting (from the Agos program),” added Idzenga, who accompanied members of the media to the project site Oct. 9.
Eight water kiosks were also installed by AIDFI in the sitio, to replace communal faucets. A resident can insert P1 to get about 20 liters of potable water, and the pooled money is used by residents, who formed themselves into an association, for the maintenance of the kiosks and the ram pump system, as well as other community projects.
Dante Serenio, chairperson of the Tiguisan Haroy Farmers Association, recalled the many challenges of fetching water for drinking and household use from the river. He said it was hard to quench his thirst since he had many siblings, who also needed to drink water from the limited volume they had collected.
With the Agos program, the time spent fetching water can now be used for other activities. Kids no longer skip classes just to help fetch water, there is enough water for drinking and other use, laundry is now done near houses, there is improved health and sanitation, and the women and community now empowered.
“With enough water, residents now have time for other things. Children can go to school, every day they can take a bath,” Idzenga said as he lauded Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines for sustaining the partnership.
He said that with funds from the foundation, more communities benefited from the Agos Program, adding that, at present, there are 180 of such projects all over the Philippines, with Tiguisan as one of the very first beneficiaries.
Since 2011, the partnership has helped deliver sustainable water access to remote areas, benefiting hundreds of thousands of Filipinos, and improving health, livelihoods, and community resilience, the foundation said.
Idzenga stressed that Agos focuses on the importance of project sustainability, and in empowering beneficiary-communities to stand on their own and ensure the continued operation of the ram pumps and mechanical water kiosks.
Moises Padilla Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo, meanwhile, lauded the foundation and AIDFI for the Agos Program. “We are very thankful to Coca-Cola and AIDFI for this project. Because of this, the community is able to access potable water in their homes…this is a very good blessing for us.” | CGC
