About 120 households in Barangay Tapikan, San Joaquin, Iloilo, along with students and faculty of Tapikan Elementary School, now have access to a new potable water system following its inauguration led by Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
The P4-million water system project was implemented under the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project of the Provincial Engineer’s Office and was inaugurated by Defensor.
Tapikan is a boundary community of San Joaquin bordering the Municipality of Miagao.
The facility is solar-powered to help ensure continuous operation during power interruptions. It also includes well development intended to provide the community with a long-term water source.
During the inauguration, Punong Barangay Jobert Nofuente thanked the provincial government for completing a project that he said had long been sought by the community.
“For a very long time, our barangay dreamed of this project. But now, we made it, Barangay Tapikan!” Nofuente said.
He said the community gratefully accepted the project on behalf of the households and residents of Tapikan.
San Joaquin Mayor Atty. Joe Abad Lazaro Jr., Vice Mayor Ivy Mae Selibio-Crespo, Nofuente and Acting Provincial Engineer Jeb Escarilla were among those who attended the inauguration.
Defensor urged barangay officials and residents to protect and properly maintain the water system, while committing provincial government assistance for future maintenance and repairs.IMT
