A local urban poor organization has taken on an alternative resort to address the pressing need for access to potable and affordable water in the urban poor communities of Baguio City.

The Organisasyon dagiti Nakurapay nga Umili ti Syudad (ORNUS), an alliance of urban poor communities in Baguio City, is the project holder of a community-based water project with assistance from the Asian Institute of Technology-Urban Management Program (AIT-UMP), which assisted in socio-economic survey and rapid feasibility study components of the project.

The said project has been endorsed by the Office of the City Mayor.

Project objectives
Foremost, the project aims to prepare the groundwork necessary for community-based water systems in three barangays in Baguio City, namely Tapao-Pinget, Cordillera Village-Fairview and Lower San Luis Extension, and to create the base for community and public sector partnership in water provisioning of urban poor settlement areas.

This will be done through documentation of two existing community water systems, in Kias and Quirino Hill; and the demonstration of feasibility study, formation of community water groups and development of regular policy dialogue between city authorities and urban poor communities in addressing the water needs of the target urban poor communities of Lower San Luis, Cordillera Village Fairview, Tapao-Pinget.

Area profile
Baguio City is comprised of 129 barangays, of which, patches of its 69 barangays are depressed, lacking or not having sufficient basic infrastructures and facilities.

A research by ORNUS in May 2005 reveals that urban poor family members are mostly self-employed, engaging mostly in odd jobs. For each family, the accumulated monthly income ranges from P2,000 to P5,000 The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) reports that in Baguio City, a family of four usually needs at least P15,000 monthly income for standard, decent living. Most urban families however have an average of 6 family members, with two families in each household.

The project areas are composed of around 200 families or 1,000 individuals, based on 2005 population data.

Access to regular, potable water is a basic problem of urban poor communities, with 7 barangays not connected to the water distribution facilities of the Baguio Water District.

As a result, most urban poor families buy water from private water delivery services which costs around P25 per “drum” or for every 200 liters. Some families have constructed their own water pump system from loans. ORNUS reports that this system is not very reliable, especially in the summer, from the months of March to May. Other families share this water system with those who cannot afford their own, but require a certain amount.

Project phases
A feasibility study was recently concluded to determine the technical, social, economic and financial viability of the water supply system project in the said communities.

Community consultations took place since August 2005, followed by the socio-economic surveys and technical surveys (mapping and inventory of existing water sources and pipeline). A review of the existing water supply systems and distribution lines were also carried out, including assessment of the existing sanitation and drainage facilities.

The next phase, which is project implementation, will now include water sourcing, reservoir construction and the pipeline installation

Meanwhile, ORNUS Chairperson Emeritus Geraldin Cacho shares that the target communities have expressed an initially positive response, mainly because an alternative sourcing out has been identified for the glaring need for water services in these communities.

“This project shows that the water problem in Baguio City can be resolved withour resorting to the Bulk Water Supply Project”, she said.

Cacho referred to the impending Bulk Water Supply Project (BSWP) contracted by the Benguet Corporation, which operated in mining in Itogon, Benguet for 100 years, to supposedly provide for the water needs of Baguio City.

Cacho explains that Benguet Corporation only intends to generate profit that is why it is venturing into the BWSP. The BC plans to convert into a water reservoir a former open pit site in Itogon, which poses health hazards.

“We hope that this endeavor will serve as a model for other communities to search for viable, alternative ways to address their basic needs, relying first on their own strength”, she ended. # Chie Galvez