Samar begins large-scale water system project to address supply problems

TACLOBAN CITY — The provincial government of Samar has begun preparations for a province-wide water system project aimed at improving access to safe and reliable drinking water, with the first phase set to prioritize municipalities in the province’s first district where many communities continue to rely on springs, shallow wells, and small communal water systems.

Governor Sharee Ann Tan met with local chief executives and representatives of the Balibago Waterworks System, Inc. May 4 to discuss the implementation of the large-scale initiative, which provincial officials described as a long-term response to recurring water shortages and limited potable water access in several towns across Samar.

Under the proposed rollout, the project’s initial phase will focus on municipalities in Samar’s first district, which covers Calbayog City and nearby towns such as Santa Margarita, Gandara, San Jorge, Matuguinao, Tagapul-an, Santo Niño, Almagro, and Tarangnan.

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Many of these areas depend on natural springs, rainwater collection, deep wells, rivers, or small barangay-operated water systems for daily consumption, sources that often become unreliable during dry months or are vulnerable to contamination during heavy rains and flooding.

Provincial officials said the planned water infrastructure project seeks to establish a more centralized and sustainable water distribution network capable of delivering treated potable water to underserved communities.

The initiative is also expected to reduce dependence on aging water facilities and informal water sources that have long posed public health and sanitation concerns in rural villages.

Balibago Waterworks System, Inc., one of the country’s major private water utility firms, will partner with the provincial government in the implementation of the project. The company has previously developed and managed water supply and distribution systems in several local government units nationwide through public-private partnership arrangements.

Officials said the succeeding phases of the project will eventually expand to areas located in Samar’s second district as part of the province’s broader infrastructure modernization and basic services program.

Access to clean drinking water has remained a longstanding challenge in many parts of Samar, particularly in geographically isolated and upland communities where residents often travel long distances to fetch water or rely on untreated sources.

Provincial leaders said the project is expected to improve public health conditions, strengthen water security, and support economic growth once fully operational, particularly in communities where limited water access has affected households, schools, and local livelihoods. INQ