Capitol, MWF partner to deliver potable water

CEBU, Philippines - Three years after super typhoon Yolanda hit in northern Cebu, the provincial government is finally working on a potable water project in Kinatarcan Island, Bantayan town to address the water problem in the area.

  The Capitol has partnered with the Manila Water Foundation for the project.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) and the foundation are scheduled to conduct a community consultation in Kinatarcan Island on February 5 to 7 to discuss the project.

The project is part of the Kinatarcan Integrated Development Plan, which was crafted by the PDRRMO and the residents, containing the results of their assessment on risks, hazards, environment, coastal and human resources in the island.

The team will specifically discuss the environmentally appropriate method of accessing potable water in the island. The assessment pointed out housing and water as the major issues that continue to hound residents of Kinatarcan Island.

“Kinatarcan has no open source of water. Their sources of water are rainwater, underground water and saltwater,” PDRRMO head Baltazar Tribunalo said.

He explained that most residents collect rainwater for their daily use, while only few desalinate, a process of removing salts from water to produce freshwater.

The island has wells as source of underground water but they easily dry up during hot seasons, especially now that the El Niño phenomenon is affecting the country.

“But this method (desalination) is rather expensive,” said Tribunalo.

Lipayran Island in Bantayan town and Pilar town of Camotes Island will also receive the same water project from the Province and MWF.

Kinatarcan Island has a population of more than 7,400 based on the 2010 census.

Meanwhile, the PDRRMO also partnered with Caritas Switzerland for a 400-unit housing project in Kinatarcan Island.  Housing is also a problem in the island following the devastation of typhoon Yolanda in 2013 with some residents living within the 40-meter no dwelling zone.

The PDRMMO and Caritas Switzerland will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the first batch of houses today. — (FREEMAN)