Baungon folk complain over lack of potable water

By LITO RULONA,
Correspondent

Residents of the Baungon in Bukidnon have raised complaints over the lack of potable water supplied within the municipality despite the fact that the town has been the source of bulk water for Cagayan de Oro City and nearby towns.

Atty. Ernie Palanan, acting-Agusan del Norte Provincial Comelec officer and acted as spokesperson in behalf of the residents of Baungon, Bukidnon wrote a letter addressed to Baungon mayor Pedro Alvarez on the lack of potable water served to his constituents.

“I am writing in behalf of the people of Baungon, Bukidnon to manifest of our plea to put an end of our suffering of your tax paying constituents by providing us with potable water,” he said.

Palanan said it now a public knowledge that the residents of Baungon, Bukidnon have been suffering for so long because of lack of potable water which has worsened in the recent days.

“For several years now, we have to fetch water in distant and hard to access spring water, man-made wells, and most often force to use unsafe water from irrigation canal from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA),” he said.

Palanan claimed that there are many times that only once a week and the worst part only at dawn when they can avail water directly from their faucets.

“Old and sick people, our children, as a matter of consequences have to bear the brunt of our predicament. Sickness as an end result thereof is just a big thing waiting to happen. Truelly your people are suffering,” he pointed out.

He said what is ironic is that the Baungon, Bukidnon is the one supplying water to Cagayan de Oro.

“Underneath our public and private lands, and roads, passes big water tubes  going to a filtration site in Barangay Pualas, Baungon, Bukidnon, Incidentally name Rio Verde and owned by the Alvarez family,” he stressed.

Palanan said the private investment/was approved and realized project during Alaverz incumbency as the municipal mayor of Baungoin, Bukidnon. It is a conflict of interest to say the least.

“It always pained us knowing that Baungon, Bukidnon is supplying water to a private consortium and yet daily of your people are asking for a drop of water. How ironic is the situation?,” he asked.

He said in view of the urgent need of drinkable water, they humbly request Alvarez intervention, immediate and appropriate action to solve the impending crisis.

“Please do something about it and end your people’s misery. We have been suffering since time in memorial,” he claimed.