Safe drinking water for Batanes

BASCO, Batanes , Philippines  – Local residents and tourists can now get safe and clean drinking water after the first three of 15 public water refilling stations were inaugurated recently by Rep. Carlo Diasnes.

The water stations, funded through the President Arroyo’s Social Fund, are located in Barangay Kayvaluganan in this capital town, Barangay San Vicente in Ivana town, and Barangay Kayvaluganan in the southern municipality of Uyugan.

Water from the facilities was given free during the first two weeks of operations.

“Thereafter, we will collect P10 per 5-gallon water jug, so we can generate funds to pay for the three employees who will alternately man the stations,” Diasnes said.

“If the local governments would like to operate the station, we can sit down together to make the necessary arrangements,” Diasnes added.

Renato Yanos, who provided the 14-stage water filtration apparatus, said the system operates via reverse osmosis, although the Department of Health only requires the use of chlorine to purify potable water.

Twelve other water stations are being rushed for completion before the summer months. These will be in the island municipality of Sabtang; three in the northernmost island municipality of Itbayat; one each in Barangays San Joaquin, San Antonio, Kayhu-vokan and Tokon-Chanarian in Basco; one in the town of Mahatao and one each in Barangays Itbud and Imnajbu. – Jack Castaño