DAVAO CITY (August 6) – North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco asked the officials of the Metro Kidapawan Water District (MKWD) to establish a potable water connection in various indigenous peoples’ (IP) in communities in Kidapawan City and the rest of the province.
In a meeting with MKWD officials, Catamco requested the water firm to connect clean and stable water supply in IP communities, saying they need it most.
During the meeting last Friday at the provincial capitol, concerns about the expansion of waterlines was discussed , Catamco cited the abundance of water supply sources in the province which need to be tapped to benefit the residents.
North Cotabato has a good number of IP communities which until now is dependent on spring or wells for their drinking supply.
Catamco, who is herself a Manobo descent, has requested MKWD general manager Stella Gonzales to provide her an inventory of areas without existing water facilities so that the provincial government could immediately evaluate as to what intervention is needed and include the same in its annual investment plan.
“It is a must that every household in North Cotabato has safe water to drink,” Catamco said.
She urged MKWD officials to conduct a massive campaign for conservation of water, protection of water sources, as well as educate the public about the danger of the use of deep wells to the environment, especially if not properly regulated. -ezc/NewsLine.ph
