1

NARRATIVE REPORT ON THE SITIO MAMPOC WATER SYSTEM PROJECT Introduction The remote area of Sitio Mampoc is located at Barangay Malaking Patag in Culion, Palawan which is about 24 kilometers from the town proper of Culion. Sitio Mampoc is one of the areas adopted by Loyola College of Culion since 2011 for the immersion program of our College students. Through their immersion program, students experience how it is to live in a poor community which is far from the town proper. Students live and sleep in nipa huts with their foster families. The area has no electricity, no proper sanitation, no potable water supply, and no available transportation. The children of the community travel by foot for almost one and half hours every day to reach their school. Most of the children in Sitio Mampoc could only study up to Grade 6 because their parents could not afford to support them for High School. Most of the families in Sitio Mampoc earn their living by farming. SITIO MAMPOC: Devastated by Typhoon Yolanda When typhoon Yolanda hit the island of Culion in November 2013, most of the houses and farms in Sitio Mampoc were totally destroyed. The community was isolated as a result of many fallen trees that blocked the roads. During their isolation, most of the families gathered and ate cassava from their farms in order to survive. When the roads were finally cleared one week after the typhoon, our school and parish distributed relief goods and gave families temporary food supply while they rebuilt their houses and livelihood. Since majority of the people in Culion are fishermen, various government and non-government groups tried to help the victims of Typhoon Yolanda by providing them with new boats and fishing gears. The farming community of Sitio Mampoc, however, did not receive any assistance for their livelihood. Thus when the association Philippinen Hilfe Verein from Germany inquired about possible livelihood

assistance, Loyola College of Culion recommended the construction of a water system for Sitio Mampoc. The Construction of the Water System

When the Water System Project was finally approved in December 2014, Mr. Domingo V. Labios, a college teacher, was appointed by Fr. Adriano R. Tapiador, SJ to coordinate the project with the Culion Water District. Mr. Labios is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Culion Water District. During the Christmas break, a thorough inspection of the water source was conducted by a team from the Culion Water District including Mr. Labios. They carefully assessed its efficiency and sustainability especially for the long dry season that was expected. From the last week of January until the last week of February, Fourth Year and First Year College students of Loyola College of Culion conducted a separate immersion programs to this community. One of their main activities in the community was to join their families and the Mampoc community in clearing the area which will be dug for the pipes that will connect the water source to the reservoir and to the houses.

2

In the middle of February, construction work started. This was supervised by Engr. Tabla from the Culion Water District. Some skilled laborers from the town proper were employed but all other laborers for the project were residents of Sitio Mampoc. The Municipality of Culion through the office of the Mayor offered to help by transporting all material from town proper to Sitio Mampoc with their dump trucks. In this project, every household in Sitio Mampoc was provided a water service line inside their houses including water faucets along the streets for strangers to be able to drink when they get thirsty. Impact of the Water System Project As soon as the Water System Project was operation before the end of March, many of the residents of Sitio Mampoc started their backyard gardening. They planted vegetables and fruit-bearing trees. In the past, they could only plant vegetables during the rainy season from June to October. Many vendors in the Culion Town Market were surprised that there were locally grown vegetables being sold to them this past summer season. Life has also improved for most families in Sitio Mampoc. More families started to build their comfort rooms or toilets. With water connections to their houses, family members could now wash their clothes and take a bath in their houses every day. Organizing for Sustainability With the completion of the water system project, how can the community sustain the constant supply of water that they now enjoy? As an educational institution, Loyola College of Culion through its outreach program explained to the residents of Sitio Mampoc the need to sustain the supply of water in the community. They were made to understand that there will be problems if the community does not take any responsibility for sustaining the project. Hence, an organization was established where the community selected their leaders and officers who will manage and maintain their water system. On their own, they decided to have a monthly collection from each household so that they can have funds for the maintenance of the water system. The organization also took it upon themselves to take responsibility for the protection of their environment especially the watershed area. Loyola College of Culion will continue to monitor the operation of the water system and will serve as adviser to their organization. Loyola College of Culion will continue to send students in their community to monitor and assist the community. Heartfelt Gratitude The Community of Sitio Mampoc together with Loyola College of Culion express their heartfelt gratitude to all the benefactors of this Water System Project. Prepared by: MR. DOMINGO V. LABIOS Loyola College of Culion

3

LCC Students and teachers helping in the land clearing operations

4

Blessing of the Water System Project

5

Gardening during the Summer Season