ARBOs in Castilla town now has access to potable water, alternative cooking fuel

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CASTILLA, SORSOGON – Sixty households in the village of Burabod in Castilla town now benefit from clean and safe water supply following the turn-over by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) of Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) facilities last month to the barangay.

DAR Sorsogon information officer Alura A. Jaso said the Burabod Farmers’ Association (BUFA) and Barangay Water System Association (BAWASA) acquired WATSAN facilities now serves 70 percent of 1,954 population in the said barangay.

“Barangay Burabod is a recognized Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) of DAR which has inadequate supply of potable water. Upon learning the dilemma of the community, DAR offered Community-managed Potable Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (CPWASH) project,” said Jaso.

CPWASH project is a low-cost technology where water from elevated streams and springs passes through pipes and concrete water tank equipped with iron removal and bio sand filters to ensure constant flow of clean and potable water.

“This is very timely for the upcoming summer when everybody will need to quench their thirst. Now, we are sure of safe fresh clean water,” said Ian Leona, the municipal administrative officer who represented Mayor Olivia Bermillo during the turn over rites.

According to Leona, not all of the 34 barangays in Castilla are enjoying potable water.

“Inspired by this project, we will lobby in the local government of Castilla to allocate fund for the establishment of similar projects in other barangays,” he added.

To assure residents that the water is safe for drinking, punong barangay Amado Mirandilla, Jr. and Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Felix E. Fruto tested it by drinking the water coming from the WATSAN facilities.

Along with the potable water supply, the ARC also received Biogas Wastewater Treatment System. This is the use of anaerobic sealed chamber that serves as a primary settling tank, with relatively fast passage of the liquid effluent through the chamber and digestion of much of the settled sludge by anaerobic bacteria.

“It is like a septic tank but its sealed nature allows all of the mixture of methane and carbon dioxide to release from anaerobic digestion which is then captured and used. The ARC uses the swine dung as a source of anaerobic bacteria,” said Mrs. Jaso.

“The project is truly great and beneficial because we can save P12,000.00 a year from buying liquefied petroleum gas. This project would replace the use of wood charcoal in cooking particularly that the use of wood charcoal is being regulated by the government,” said Burabod Brgy. Chairman Mirandilla.

“Also, with biogas, there will be no more stinking messes in piggery because the wastes are sealed in a tank. This would likewise support the campaign for environmental protection of President Benigno Aquino III,” he added.

Officers of BUFA and BAWASA expressed their gratitude by signing the Statement of Commitment.

“DAR is just a facilitator here. Our main objective is in land acquisition and distribution (LAD). Any project is possible with the cooperation of everyone. Own this project and take good care of it for the use of the next generation,” said PARPO Fruto to the members of ARBOs.

He likewise thanked the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) implementing agencies and the Philippine Army for the direct contribution they shared especially in the construction of biogas. (MAL/BAR-PIA5/Sorsogon)
Source: Philippine Information Agency (Bicol)