LUCENA CITY – Residents of three villages in this city will soon enjoy a steady potable water supply from solar-powered systems worth a total of P20 million to be put up by the office of Quezon Second District Representative David Suarez.
On Friday, Suarez, together with local officials, broke ground for the projects on separate occasions in the three villages. Josefina Dalangin, city coordinator and acting team leader of the 150-household community in Sitio Kurba, Barangay Ibabang Iyam, said the project will not only benefit the residents in their area in terms of drinking water but also in irrigating their rice fields.
The Level II Public Water Supply System, with a P5-million outlay will be capable of producing 13,000 liters of water every day, enough for 500 households, said Engr. John Ceedee Alvarez of the Department of Public Works and Highways-Quezon II District Engineering Office (DPWH-Quezon II DEO).
Since Sitio Kurba has only 150 households, the rest of the water from the water supply system can be used to irrigate the 20-hectare rice fields of the community, he added.
“The project will be up for bid in April and probably will begin construction in June. The timeline is 180 days so by September, this sitio (sub-village) can enjoy clean and potable water,” said Alvarez in a separate interview.
The parcel of land where the solar mechanisms and water tank are installed in Barangay Ibabang Iyam has been donated by the family of Pedrito Sedaria.
The water system project in Purok Anak Bagong Sinag Phase 2 in Barangay Cotta is also worth P5 million and will benefit 500 households. The other one located in Purok Sta. Teresa, Barangay Dalahican will cost P10 million and is set to benefit 900 households.
In his speech at the events, Suarez emphasized to the residents the importance of clean and safe water, which, he said, prompted him to act immediately as soon as he received the request for the projects. (PNA)