Diwata believers hamper water firm's operations

CEBU - A group of residents of barangay Panalipan, Catmon town is hampering the operation of the Catmon Water and Sanitation Service Cooperative, believing that diwatas live in the water sources in the mountain.

This prompted the management of CAWASSCO to sue some members of the group called “Diwatahan” after they cut water pipelines to prevent water from flowing down to consumers.

CAWASSCO general manager Romeo Arrabis said it is ridiculous for the group to accuse the cooperative of angering the enkangtos (supernatural beings) and diwatas (fairies) who are causing landslides and soil erosion in the area.

Arrabis said while they respect the beliefs of the group, they can no longer tolerate its threats and sabotage that are disrupting their services.

Arrabis identified some of the alleged saboteurs who are members of the group as Arcadia Molleon, Julita Molleon, Rosenda Mag-usara, Sylvia Porio and Pacita Yungco of barangay Panalipan.

They have been invited to see barangay captain Leandrino Roilo regarding the issue.

Santos Arenilla, who owns one of the lots were one of the springs is located, said long before CAWASSCO was created there were already landslides and soil erosion but he never believed about supernatural forces in the area.

Arenilla appealed to his neighbors to stop offering pigs for these “unseen beings.”

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said landslides are being caused by abundant underground water and has advised the residents to stay away from the area. DENR also advised farmers in the area to plant more trees, and offered to provide them with seedlings. — Gregg M. Rubio/BRP (THE FREEMAN)