GODOD, Zamboanga del Norte, Oct. 19 (PIA) – The Potable Water System (PWS) Level 2 Project that will soon be constructed here will not only provide clean drinking water but also bring local job opportunities for approximately 420 skilled and unskilled workers in town.

The project has a total cost of P103.6 million which is funded by the Department of Agriculture - Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP), the European Union, and the local government unit of Godod, Zamboanga del Norte.

From the source, which is timberland, 32 kilometers of pipeline will be laid to supply water to the four barangays, including Barangays of Lomogom, Poblacion, Mauswagon, and Baluno. To install the pipes, it will require workers and the local engineer’s office will give priority to those who can work from the four barangays.

The project is expected to be completed on December 12, 2024. After the completion of the project, the time required to get water will be reduced to just 25 minutes, instead of 1.08 hours. It is also expected that the number of people suffering from water-related issues will be reduced by 50%, improving the quality of life for the people residing in the four barangays.

As per the project plan, an intake box will be built at the source located in Barangay Siaman. This will be accompanied by the construction of four (4) reservoirs and 192 tap stands within the barangays of Lomogom, Poblacion, Mauswagon, and Baluno. The project aims to benefit around 1,050 households, including the Godod National High School in Barangay Poblacion which has around 800 students.

With the potable water system level 2, the local government of Godod invested in water, the people, and the clean environment for the development of the town.

“Dili lang nato himoon ang usa ka physical structure, kun dili pinaagi niini, matukod nato ang usa ka lig-on ug himsog nga komunidad padulong sa usa ka progresibo nga ekonomiya,” Mayor Matildo said.   

(We don't just build a physical structure, through this, we can build a strong and healthy community towards a progressive economy.)

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Elmer Suderno, the Brigade Commander of the 102nd Brigade of the Philippine Army expressed his gratitude to the DA-PRDP for sponsoring the water project. He acknowledged that the project is a significant contribution to their campaign against insurgency by addressing one of the root causes of the problem -- the lack of basic services. He emphasized that water is an essential need of the people, and the provision of this basic necessity is crucial in suppressing the insurgency.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) office had no objection. It issued a Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC) and exempted MLGU Godod from obtaining an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) as evidence that the project would not harm the environment. The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office based in Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte also has no objection that the source of the project is from a Timberland, particularly in Marikot Spring in Barangay Siaman. (EDT/CCP/PIA9 with reports and photos from DA-PRDP ZamPen)