Gov seeks appraisal on broken

Pamilacan desalination facility

PAMILACAN ISLAND, Baclayon, Bohol, May 4 (PIA) –Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado orders an immediate appraisal of the dysfunctional sea-water desalination facilities in this island, to see how the provincial government can help in making potable water accessible to the community.

Since the discontinued service of the salt-water processing facility into potable domestic water, and the drought affecting the island, residents are forced to buy 5 gallon mineral water from the mainland at P70 or buy water from few water wells in the island for P25.00 per 5-gallon container.

Coming in to interact with the community in time for the Capitol’s Medical Outreach Unit (MOU) medical and dental mission, May 4, the governor has asked barangay officials to furnish his office status reports on the facilities.

According to Pamilacan island Barangay Chairman Crespo Valeroso, the facility that can process sea-water into potable domestic water, has since bogged down and needs funds for the purchase of spare parts.

Since its turn-over after the former provincial government administration handed the facility, the barangay government has managed its operations.

Pamilacan resident Nemesia Pingki-an, who also operates lodging huts and dive and snorkel tours in the island stressed the need for the restored service of the facility, noting that it can drastically cut the costs of potable water, which every islander is struggling to access.

The facility, when it was operational, sells its processed water at P10.00 per five gallon container.

Valeroso, in his message to the community gathered for the medical mission, said the spare part needed to repair the facility would be purchased from abroad.

“As long as there is money to buy the spare part, there would be no problem, we can even ask the office of the governor to order it for us. But if there is no fund for it, that is a different problem, dolphin-watch tour operator Sonny Baugbog added.

During its operation, the facility can process some 100 5-gallon containers per day.

Residents expect that the barangay can use the proceeds of its past operations of the facility to fund the purchase of the broken spare part, but the governor, who has seen the dire situation which keeps people buying expensive water from the mainland, said he is willing to help.

The official report from the barangay however would be necessary so the provincial government can base the release of government funds for the facility’s repair.

On the other hand, another desalination facility was built in the island in 2016, which was already operational by the end of Mayor Alvin Uy’s term.

The water was already there but the facility needs a bigger generator to process more water to supply a larger population, Baclayon Mayor Alvin Uy, whose term was ending that time, said.

Unfortunately, the succeeding administration did not pursue the project, until it laid useless.

Mayor Uy, who came to the island mission with Vice Mayor Romeo Balangkig and councillor Victoria Aquino, said since the water desalination was funded by the LGU, they have allocated some funds to get it operational this year.

During the MOU mission, the governor also witnessed the Department of Social welfare and Development (DSWD) distribute its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) facilitated by Senator Aimee Marcos.

The AICS distribution and medical mission came for Pamilacan’s fishermen and tourism workers who are severely affected by the drought and the climate change’s sea warming, lessening their fish catch. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

WATERLESS. Baclayon Mayor Alvin Uy confers with Gov Erico Aristotle Aumentado on the state of the water desalination facilities in the island, both of which have been bogged down. In the meantime, people are buying mineral water from the mainland to be transported across 20 kilometers of sea, at P70.00 per 5 gallon container. (PIABohol)

WINNING AND LOSING. Although losing with a slight margin during the past elections, Gov Erico Aristotle Aumentado stepped in Pamilacan, not minding a political loss, but to gather sentiments from the people who have been deprived of government services due to distance. The governor, with Mayor Alvin Uy, and chairman Crespo Valeroso with his council, committed to do something to make potable water available again, for the island residents and tourists. (PIABohol)