Residents of Brgy. Molobolo, together with representatives of the Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation, Inc. (AIDFI) and The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF), stand in front of the Agos Water Tank
In Brgy, Molobolo in Negros Occidental’s Municipality of Cauayan collecting water was a shared community duty as well as a household issue. In their area, there was a water source that required parents and kids to walk for thirty minutes and wait for at least two hours to fill their containers. However, this source did not always supply all of their daily needs.
Residents were required to conserve water wherever possible due to the water crisis, but even that wasn’t always enough. They struggled to locate water on a regular basis, and every night they went to bed hoping to find enough for the next day.
This was the reality for Brgy. Molobolo residents until 2021, when the Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation, Inc. (AIDFI) implemented a clean water access project with a financial grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF).
How water started flowing in Brgy. Molobolo
For Brgy. Molobolo, AIDFI used a gravity-fed water system to bring water closer to residents. The project connected a pipeline from the elevated water source, allowing the water to flow down to shared tapstands within the community and helping eliminate the need for a half-hour walk and two-hour wait at the stream. Additionally, water filters are provided to households to block debris and prevent bacteria from passing through.
Access to water has brought comfort to the residents. No longer burdened by the physically demanding task of water collection, they can enjoy the safety and security of having water at their doorstep.
The availability of safe water has also positively impacted community programs, including feeding programs that improve residents’ health and nutrition. Convenient access to safe water reduces the health risks associated with collecting and consuming water from distant and potentially contaminated sources. This improvement in water accessibility has enhanced their quality of life and fostered a sense of community well-being and progress.
“Ngayon, sa bahay na lang kami naghihintay. May schedule pero sufficient talaga yung tubig. Hindi na kami mahirapan na [pumila] at pumunta sa malayo para mag-igib [ng tubig],” Myren Edoria, a resident of Brgy. Molobolo, said. (Now, we only wait in our home. There is a schedule, but this time the supply of water is sufficient. We don’t need to fall in line and go to faraway places just to collect water.)
From project beneficiaries to water stewards
The barangay captain of Brgy. Molobolo has advocated for their community to gain access to safe water. His dedication to securing water access and security for the community led him to apply for the Agos Project with TCCF and AIDFI in the first place. This initiative, aligning with the community’s urgent need for clean water, garnered immediate and enthusiastic support from the residents.
Inspired by their barangay captain’s leadership, the residents have transformed that passion into proactive stewardship, taking responsibility for protecting and managing their water resources to ensure the sustainability of the project’s benefits for future generations.
Brgy. Molobolo residents with representatives of the AIDFI and TCCF at the successful handover of the Agos Project
They formed an association and created a schedule system for everyone in the barangay to access clean water. They also coordinate with local partners to test and ensure the water’s safety. To secure their water source, they implement policies protecting it from potential threats.
Clean and safe water for future generations
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