HILONGOS, Leyte– Aiding to curb the effects of the looming El Niño, the DA- Philippine Rural Development Project RPCO 8 provided aid to farmers and their families in Hilongos, Leyte as it turned over the Hilongos Barangay Water Supply Development Project which is now benefitting 14,988 individuals from 13 barangays namely, Baas, Bung-aw, Campina, Concepcion, Imelda, Kanghaas, Kang-iras, Manaul, Paa, Tabunok, Tambis, Tejero, and Sto. Niño.
“Sa kadaghan sa proseso nga gi-again, some people did not believe. Di sila matu-o kung tinuod ban a ni na storya na ang tubig sa Sto. Niño muabot dire sa lungsod. But we pursued ug atong gipadayon. And that’s what brought us here,” Vice Mayor Albert Villahermosa shared, being one of the proponents of this project.
After 10 months of construction, this project marks another milestone for PRDP RPCO 8 and LGU Hilongos as this has been completed eight months ahead of the original target completion date, with a +20.03% variance.
Mayor Manuel R. Villahermosa expressed his warmest gratitude that after surpassing the tedious process for the approval of the said project they still managed to finish it ahead of time.
“This is a big help to the people in their locality who are in need of clean and safe water in their everyday lives. I am filled with so much gratitude to all those behind this project, also to the barangay officials and community members who cooperated during the construction,” he said.
The said project is currently one of the biggest water development projects implemented under the PRDP having a total project cost of P125,936,800.36. This included the construction of three units of intake box, one unit of infiltration gallery, 17 units reservoir, 7.585 kilometers pipelines, and 490 sets of tap stands.
“This project is one of the priority projects of our President who is at the same time the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture. With this, I am happy because this is a result of our unity. That is why, on behalf of the regional office, I would like to thank you all for your help. I am thankful to all who are involved in this project because you made the Department of Agriculture an instrument for the development here in Hilongos,” Dir. Andrew Rodolfo T. Orais, DA RFO 8 Regional Executive Director and PRDP RPCO 8 Project Director expressed.
The PWS project is expected to help improve the farming activities in Hilongos which can lead to increase the income of the families in the area.
Also present in the turnover ceremony was Engr. Jose Albert A. Barrogo, Deputy Project Director of PRDP PSO Visayas Cluster.(PR)
