Labuan folks thank Celso, ZCWD for water project
Residents of Labuan, the second to the last barangay in the west coast, have commended Mayor Celso Lobregat and the Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) for helping them realize their long cherished dream of having safe, potable and affordable water.
Speaking on behalf of his constituents, Labuan chief Francisco Santos said the water system project inaugurated September 3 is considered a legacy for the people of his barangay. “Este una cosa que nunca came ay olvida. Gracias gayot especialmente con Alcalde Lobregat y ZCWD. Este ta dale mira cay cosa si Mayor ta promete ele ta cumpli y nuay came cosa puede repaga si no di amon suporta conele”. (This is something that we will never forget. We thank especially Mayor Lobregat and the ZCWD. This shows that Mayor Lobregat is true to his words, he complies his promises and we this is something which we cannot repay him except our support to his administration).
Mayor Lobregat and ZCWD officials led by board president Edwin Makasiar and General Manager Leonardo Vasquez last week unveiled the P7.9 million water project in Labuan. The project consisted of 3 spring boxes that can accommodate 9 cubic meters each, 6 air release assemblies at 4.8 cubic meters each, stand pipes and blow-off assemblies, valves fitting and interconnection, laying of pipes, encasing of concretes that were cut or demolished during project implementation, hydro-testing and disinfection.
Of the total P7.9 million funding, P3.5 million was financed by the city government while P4.4. million was the share of the ZCWD.
Santos said his constituents have long dreamt of having their own water system as they undergo a lot of sacrifices if only to have a daily supply of potable water. Aside from spending so much, the residents, he said, had to exert a lot of effort in order to have water supply.
Mayor Lobregat said the city government decided to join forces with the ZCWD to expand water services to areas outside of the 7 kilometer radius. “This is a realization and continuation of the vision of the late Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat to provide safe, potable and affordable water not only to people within the 7 kilometer radius but all throughout the city”.
Because of the water project, the mayor said, Labuan residents would no longer spend between P3-5 per bidon of water as what they use to do before. “With this, you will be paying only 35 centavos per bidon of water, which is 10 times cheaper than what you spent before”.
He also took pot shots at administration critics who say that the city government is not helping the ZCWD in implementing projects. He said financial constraints prevent the water firm from expanding its services outside of the city proper area, which is why the city government is coming in to its aid.
Lobregat said if the city government will not help the ZCWD, barangay Labuan and other areas outside of the city will never have its their own water system.
The city and the ZCWD have so far undertaken joint projects in Ayala, Recodo, Cawit and Maasin in the west coast and in Sangali and other areas in the east coast.
A month from now, Mayor Lobregat said, a similar project will be unveiled in Vitali. (Sheila Covarrubias)