NEWS

By: Teofilo Garcia Jr.

ZAMBOANGA CITY – A total of 90 families in a farming community in Zamboanga del Sur province now enjoy a steady supply of safe and potable water in their village through the assistance of a mining firm.

Located in Barangay Depore, Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur, the community had no direct access to basic drinking water for the past 24 years until the completion of the water system project funded by TVI Resource Development Philippines, Inc. (TVIRD).

TVIRD is a mining firm and is also currently operating the Agata Nickel Project in Agusan del Norte. It has an ongoing final mine rehabilitation for its gold and copper project in Zamboanga del Norte.

Lope Dizon, TVIRD community development officer, said the water system has the capacity to supply 22,000 liters of water daily.

“The spring water is channeled from a reservoir, which ensures enough water supply,” Dizon said in in a statement provided to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

He said the project included the installation of a transmission pipe from the main water reservoir, which is more than one kilometer away, to a newly-established distribution pipeline that serves all the residents.

Segundino dela Peña Jr., the farming community, expressed gratitude for the establishment of the water system, saying residents need not endure a more than one-kilometer hike to fetch water.

The TVIRD, prior to bringing its Balabag Gold and Silver Project on-stream in Barangay Depore, Bayog, has provided basic social services to its host communities in the area, especially focusing on the lack of running water.

The Depore Community Water System is one of TVIRD’s initiatives under its Community Development Projects (CDP), which are conducted in partnership with the municipal government.

Source: Philippine News Agency