Water Source Development for Island Communities in Kinatarcan Island, Cebu

Like most island communities, Kinatarcan island has limited access to potable water and even household uses. Some of the deep wells in most communities are already salty due to salty water intrusion in the water table, and so most of the residents resorted to use rainwater which are abundant during monsoon periods from May-December. Rainwater are collected and stored in big cisterns or water tanks (to those who can afford to construct) but to those who cannot afford, use small pails, drums and most commonly use are earthen jars. However, when Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) struck Northern Cebu these earthen jars were not spared from destruction which makes harder especially to women who are burdened in the domestic chores particularly in collecting or fetching waters.

The project goal is to provide clean water for household use to members of people’s organization in the three project communities in Kinatarcan Island. The project was able to install rainwater catchments to 120 members identified most in need; and devise systems and processes of management and maintenance of the water project by the three organizations.

Social Preparation

In the social preparation of this project, the Farmers Development Center (FARDEC) ensured active participation of the three People’s Organizations (PO) in the project management processes.

Through its General Assembly meetings of the three barangay organizations namely Nagkahiusang Mananagat ug Mag-uuma sa Hagdan (NAMAMAHAN), Bitoon Farmers and Fisherfolks Association (BIFFA) and the Langub United Farmers and Fisherfolks Association (LUFFA), FARDEC conducted project orientations.

Consultations were made in order to draft policies with regards to identification of beneficiaries, rainwater design, procurement process, management of actual construction and monitoring of these rainwater catchments.

Each of the three organizations created a water project committee to ensure the smooth implementation of the project. The committees composed of 3-5 members which is responsible for the purchase of the rainwater materials, distribution of these materials to each household beneficiaries, monitoring and coordination with the mason/ carpenter and the beneficiaries during the construction.

Impact of the Project

The rainwater facility help ease the burden and worries of women for their needs of water for domestic and potable use. The project empowered the women- since the they were the ones left behind to manage the project. For them, there are lessons learned in the course of the implementation (negative and positive) and these learnin can be used for future project activities of the organization.

The project was a venue for further strengthening and consolidation of the organization. The benefits of having a rainwater facility urge the non-active members to be part of the organization although they were not the first priority of the project but since the project is a revolving fund they still can avail of the project. Lastly, working together through the bayanihan (cooperative labor) system in the project implementation further strengthen their cohesiveness as an organization. - FARDEC