SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA: The Association of Water Districts in Antique (AWDA), encompassing eight local water districts, has formally requested financial support from the provincial government to enhance and expand their water service capabilities across various unserved areas.
According to Philippines News Agency, Engineer Jonathan De Gracia, manager of the Sibalom Water District and president of AWDA, highlighted the critical need for governmental intervention in an interview conducted Tuesday. De Gracia emphasized the districts’ nonprofit status and their lack of financial backing, despite being under the purview of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) and classified as government-owned corporations. He pointed out that the substantial cost of establishing new pumping stations, approximately PHP10 million each, significantly restricts their ability to extend services to more barangays.
Currently, the Sibalom Water District provides services to 17 barangays and aims to expand to three additional
ones. However, De Gracia noted that this expansion could only be realized with external financial assistance, necessitating a loan to fund the infrastructure developments.
The issue of funding was also brought up during a regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Monday, where Pio Jessielito Sumande Sr., Chair of the Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure, acknowledged the receipt of AWDA’s request letter. Sumande expressed his intention to arrange a dialogue with the general managers of the water districts to discuss the specifics of the required financial support, underscoring the urgency of addressing the water supply needs in the province.