‘Selda’ managers keep water flowing

By Sherwin B. Manual/DAMRDP

Brgy. Malabang, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur --- As water is a valuable but scarce resource in many areas in Mindanao, selda managers here keep clean water flowing.

Eugenia Torrecampo, 75, sees to it that her selda or cluster of eight members observe the policies they have agreed in the proper use of the newly installed potable water system (PWS).

“We have to ensure that everyone observes the policy to protect this water facility since this is the project that solved our long clamor for clean and safe water,” Torrecampo said in her dialect.

In the recent past, there were only at least six deep wells serving the community of at least 217 households or close to 1000 residents. Although, incidences of water-borne disease were few, the lack of adequate water supply has negative impact on the community life.

“People have to make a line on very long queue of pails and water containers as early as 4:00 in the morning to gather their daily ration of water for bathing and other household use,” said Vicente Cavan, Jr. , chairman of Malabang Water System Association (MAWASA )of Hagonoy Inc.

Often, the long queue resulted to altercations especially among children who usually are tasked to fetch water three times per day.

One of the 21 barangays of Hagonoy town, Brgy Malabang, located 10 kilometers from town proper and 24 kilometers from Digos City the provincial capital, is listed among the most depressed areas of the town. If not farmers, most of the residents were construction workers who have to be early at work.

It was only very recently when a sugar plantation was established in the barangay after the bridge, farm-to-market road and electrification were installed. This provided livelihood opportunities to the residents.

“Water facility is the third priority of the barangay’s five-year development plan. We were fortunate enough that years ago our first two projects, bridge and electrification were responded to by other national agencies and the local government,” said Cavan.

“With high hopes we sent proposal to the local government to assist us in the project, as if ladyluck was on our side, our proposal was forwarded and eventually approved by the Department of Agriculture(DA) – Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP).

The partnership of MRDP and the LGU put up P1.4 million to complete the project. The PWS is categorized as level-2 water system. It has an elevated reinforced concrete tank that has a dimension of 3x3x.4.3 meters. Water is drawn from a 180-meter deep well and diverted to a concrete tank by means of a 3 horsepower submersible pump powered by a 25-Watt transformer through a 100-mm PVC discharge pipe. Water is distributed to the 28 tap stands and faucets.

Each tap stands is shared by 6 to 8 members as one cluster or selda.

“Now, there is adequate, accessible clean water we can use. Just one twist of the faucet and water is there,” Torrecampo said.

To sustain the operation of the project, the MAWASA was formed as the governing body of the water facility.

“We charge every household member a monthly pay of P75.00. The amount collected is used to pay for electricity consumption of the pump, maintenance of the system pipes, faucets and other maintenance works and materials,” Cavan explained.

Selda Leaders

Since the MAWASA board members cannot at all times oversee the use of the 28 faucets, selda leaders were chosen to ensure proper use of the faucet.

The selda leader is selected among the members of the clustered users. He or she ensures that the water facility is properly used and that water wastage is avoided. 

“As selda leader, I also act as the treasure for the group but we don’t receive any honorarium. I collect payments from my selda members and pays the amount to the MAWASA board,” Torrecampo said, adding:

“We also help educate the barangay folk about the policies agreed and other important information related to the use of the water facility.”

One ‘water mechanic’ or water tender with monthly honorarium of P500.00 controls the main valve. He closes the facility at 10:00 PM and opens it at 4:00 in the morning. Along with the other members of the board, the water tender, regularly  checks and monitors on the whole system .

“The water facility near my house is such a great help especially for an old woman like me,” Torrecampo said.