The newly installed solar-powered water system level II, built to cater to the more than 1,000 indigenous people residing in Barangay Kinitaan in the municipality of Upi in Maguindanao del Norte, is expected to provide 4,000 liters of clean water to the community. (Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, BARMM)
COTABATO CITY (PIA) -- At least 1,377 residents of Barangay Kinitaan in the municipality of Upi in Maguindanao del Norte now have access to a reliable and clean source of water after the turnover of a P3 million-worth solar-powered water system level II in the village.
On February 14, the Bangsamoro government’s Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MIPA) handed over the newly completed project to the barangay leaders in the area.
Kinitaan barangay chieftain Mars Mariano expressed his gratitude to the Bangsamoro government, through the MIPA, for choosing their barangay as a beneficiary of the vital infrastructure project.
“Hindi lang ang aming barangay ang makikinabang dito sa proyekto kundi pati na rin ang mga kalapit namin na barangay,” Mariano said.
[The water system will benefit not only our barangay but also our neighboring communities.]
Mars Mariano, the barangay chieftain of Kinitaan in the municipality of Upi, Maguindanao del Norte, led the community reception team for the turnover of the solar-powered water system level II by the BARMM's Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs (MIPA-BARMM). Mariano said the project will initially benefit residents of Kinitaan, but it can be shared with other nearby villages in need of drinking water. (Photo courtesy of Kinitaan barangay chieftain Mars Mariano)
According to MIPA, the project was funded under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao-Special Development Fund (SDF) CY 2021 allocated to the ministry, which in turn funded the construction of the water system.
The Level II water system has the capacity to produce 4,000 liters of clean water and features 10 tap stands strategically positioned to serve the community’s needs.
Prior to the establishment of the water system, residents, primarily from IP communities in the area, had to travel long distances to fetch water from springs located far from their homes.
“Sana hindi po dito magtapos ang mga proyekto na galing sa MIPA at sa pamunuan ng BARMM, dahil nakikita naming ngayon at damang dama namin kung sino at ano ang Bangsamoro government para sa Kinitaan,” Mariano conveyed, as he lauded the government for their efforts to uplift the lives of people in the far-flung communities.
[I hope we receive more projects from the ministry and the Bangsamoro government, because we deeply feel the support of the government towards us.]
BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim reiterated the Bangsamoro government's commitment to bring essential services and projects closer to constituents, especially the indigenous peoples community. (Photo courtesy of the Bangsamoro Government)
Meanwhile, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim reiterated during the IP month celebration last year that the Bangsamoro government is committed to its mandate to further advance the rights and welfare of the IPs.
“In the Bangsamoro, we are committed to advancing the rights of indigenous peoples and their participation in governance and community planning,” he pointed out.
Ebrahim noted that the Bangsamoro government recognizes the IP’s voice in community development and nation-building, emphasizing the need for the government to hear their views and opinions and to be incorporated into the decision-making processes “as we navigate the transition period.” (LTB - PIA Cotabato City)
