Almost 3,000 families from seven municipalities and 42 barangays in Southern Cebu now have drinking water through the help of the Amuma Potable Water Distribution Project.
The project is a collaborative effort initiated by the Office of the Secretary of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) with implementing partners Balay Mindanaw Foundation, Rotary Club of Pasig, Disaster Aid Australia, Filipino Achievers of Canada, WaveKo, Pinnacle Management & Strategic Communications and PRWorks.
In Cebu, a total of 196,800 liters of water were distributed in February and March this year. About 31,700 liters were given to 523 beneficiaries in Argao; 56,300 liters to 720 beneficiaries in Aloguinsan; 33,700 liters to 455 beneficiaries in Dumanjug; 63,700 liters to 655 beneficiaries in Ronda; 10,200 liters to 504 beneficiaries in Badian; and 1,200 liters to 60 beneficiaries in Alcantara.
The team has already completed its Cebu leg in collaboration with the concerned local government units.
Amuma, a Visayan word for care or nurture, was the meaning behind the project that took off after Typhoon Odette left a trail of destruction in the country last December. The severe tropical cyclone caused widespread power outages that triggered the loss of water supply in affected areas in Cebu.
As part of the relief effort, the Rotary Club of Pasig, Balay Mindanaw Foundation and Disaster Aid Australia agreed to lend three SkyHydrants for Project Amuma. On the other hand, the NAPC will manage the SkyHydrants’ use.
A SkyHydrant is a water filtration unit that can produce 10,000 liters of potable water every day. Each SkyHydrant is assigned to selected municipalities to provide water for its residents, especially those in mountain barangays.
Pinnacle, WaveKo and PRWorks donated Hygiene Kits while the Filipino Achievers of Canada handed out two (2) power generator sets.
“Due to extensive damage and high repair cost of water infrastructure, many organizations have stepped in to help affected residents. No entity can do this alone. Project Amuma supplements all these efforts to make the distribution of potable water to families in need much faster,” said NAPC Secretary and Lead Convenor Atty. Noel Felongco.
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