Water for Peace and Development

GLAN, Sarangani (August 16, 2007) – An old man said lack of water was a major problem in his village for decades.

Not anymore. A cluster of villages now have easy access to potable water, thanks to Spain, New Zealand and Australia.

"So nya ba a proyekto na Ridzki abpun sa Allah, pinukit kanu manusya (This project is a grace from Allah coursed through our fellow human beings)," said 70-year old Yusuf Adam, a resident of Sitio Busok in barangay Baliton.

Adam said his grandchildren now won't have to carry heavy water containers hundreds of meters away from the water source to their homes.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-ACT (Action for Conflict Transformation) for Peace Programme and the provincial government turned over a spring development project to Busok constituents Tuesday (August 14).

The P300,000-project was funded by UNDP and implemented by Sarangani's Provincial Peace and Development Program.

"You must take care of this project and strengthen your BAWASA," Governor Migs Dominguez told the beneficiaries.

The turnover ceremony and induction of the officers of BAWASA (Barangay Water Works and Sanitation Association) were administered by the governor.

"Someday it may be expanded to other sitios and even in adjacent barangays when you attain self-sufficiency," Dominguez explained.

The governor urged villagers to come up with minimal fees in order to become self-reliant instead of depending on the barangay council for the repair and maintenance of the water system.

Cynthia Guerra, UNDP area manager for South Central Mindanao, disclosed the fund for the project was pooled from the governments of Spain, New Zealand and Australia.

The fund came in support of the 1996 GRP (Government of the Republic of the Philippines)-MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front) Peace Agreement.

Engr. Jake Abdullah, UNDP technical assistant, said the water system was built under UNDP's ACT for Peace Programme.

Abdullah added UNDP addresses basic needs of a community as a "vehicle for unity."

Baliton is one of the 18 PDC (Peace and Development Communities) barangays identified by UNDP.
The UNDP implements "peace-building" efforts through the local government and its partner organization, PDAL (Peace and Development Advocates League)-Sarangani.

A PDC is a community that has experienced conflict, is vulnerable to conflict and has high incidence of poverty.

Constituents of PDCs undergo community organizing. They receive projects that address basic needs and undergo a "culture of peace" seminar.

These activities empower the constituents to become participative in barangay governance. They were expected to engage in volunteerism, promote peace, and strive to attain self-reliance.

Other PDCs in the province with water system sponsored by UNDP include barangays Pangyan in this town, Tuyan in Malapatan, Daliao, Lumatil and Kanalo in Maasim town, Tambilil and Datu Dani in Kiamba municipality and Pinol in Maitum.

PDAL President Commander Johnny Akbar told the beneficiaries, "your only counterpart to this project is your effort to sustain it."

"You must understand that the help from other countries came here after the 1996 peace agreement," Akbar stressed.

"The project we have now is the 'fruit of sacrifice' of our Muslim brothers slain in combat during the times of conflict," he added. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/GK)