Finally, clean, safe water in Caloocan

After years of being deprived of a continuous supply of clean and safe water, residents of Bagong Silang, one of the more populous areas of Caloocan City, can now have it at any time of the day and right into their homes.

Mayor Enrico Echiverri announced this yesterday at the inauguration of "Proyektong Patubig,’" a priority project of his administration, in the Bukid Area.

Echiverri said that in the past, residents had to struggle to fall in line, sometimes at unholy hours, and get all containers they can muster to fill them up with water.

The taps are dry most of the day and water flows only at certain times of the day and for only a few precious minutes. Those who fail to get the day’s supply usually had to wait for the next day.

"Those days are over. The people can now have all the water they need without having to bear the heat and cold nights, deprived of restful uninterrupted sleep while waiting for it," said Echiverri.

The mayor said that water connections had been available in the area, but only a few residents could avail of it due to the high connection fees charged by the local water concessionaires.

This prompted Echiverri to negotiate with Maynilad Water Services Inc. (MWSI) and the Manila Water Co. Inc. (MWCI) for a convenient payment scheme so that the predominantly poor residents in the area can avail of uninterrupted supply of water.

Interested parties can now have water service for an initial payment of only P200.

The private water concessionaires normally charge a relatively hefty P5,000 connection fee for every household. Seeing that most families cannot afford to part with this amount in one blow, Echiverri got approval for the residents to avail of water service under a deferred mode of payment (installment basis).

The Metro Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) agreed with Echiverri’s proposal saying it can now collect payments more efficiently, curb pilferage and reduce losses.

Echiverri earlier inaugurated Proyektong Patubig in five phases of Dagat-Dagatan south of Caloocan and including Camarin, Deparo and Bagumbong in the second district. – Jerry Botial