Affordable potable water for Laguna folk

MANILA, Philippines - Residents of marginalized communities in Biñan, Laguna, have gained greater access to 24/7 piped water that is affordable and potable, through Laguna Water’s Water for the Community or “Tubig para sa Barangay” program.

The water operator serving the cities of Biñan, Cabuyao, and Sta. Rosa and Manila Water Foundation, together with the provincial government of Laguna, recently awarded certificates as proof of the service connections granted to over 130 households in the barangays of Soro-Soro and Malaban in Biñan City.

Biñan City Mayor Len Alonte was thankful to Laguna Water and the Manila Water Foundation for choosing the two barangays under her jurisdiction to be the first recipients of the foundation’s subsidized water connections.

“This is very important to the residents of Soro-Soro and Malaban. Water connection is at P5,690 each and for most of the families here, that is already their monthly income,” said Alonte.

Alonte urged the residents to take responsibility over this privilege given to them to improve their quality of life, by paying diligently and by being vigilant on water pilferage.

“We need to work together to ensure that the blessings given to us will not go to waste,” she added.

Laguna Water pioneered the “Tubig para sa Barangay” program in Laguna to replicate the success of its parent company, Manila Water in the East Zone, in addressing the water problems of marginalized communities in the province and ensuring potable water in the barangay beneficiaries.

Today, at least 78,000 people from poor communities or 30 percent of the water company’s customer base of 254,000, have benefited from the program.

Laguna Water was formed in 2009 through a public-private partnership together with the provincial government of Laguna to ensure that there is enough safe, clean and affordable water in Cabuyao, Sta. Rosa, and Biñan, as these cities continue to grow both in terms of population and development.