REGION 10 WATSAN HUB. Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan president Fr Roberto “Bobby” C Yap SJ (center) and partner representatives show the signed memorandum of understanding in line with the establishment of the Region 10 Water and Sanitation Hub.
Report by Wilson J Hormeguera
Photos by Mart Markines
Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan president Fr Roberto “Bobby” C Yap SJ signed along with other partner representatives the memorandum of understanding (MOU) establishing the Region 10 Water and Sanitation Hub.
The ceremony, held on September 18 at Xavier Ateneo, formalizes the creation of Region 10 WatSan Hub for capacity development to enable target municipalities with waterless barangays to access basic water-related services through the Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig sa Lahat (SALINTUBIG) Program, Assistance to Disadvantaged Municipalities (ADM), Governance Advocacy and Leadership (GoAL) WASH Programme, and other WatSan governance programs of the country for the period of 2017-2022.
“We are glad that Xavier Ateneo is part of this network which works for the waterless barangays of the region,” Yap said.
“As a Jesuit university, it is in our mandate to engage the peripheries, which include particularly the waterless barangays, by ensuring that there is access to safe and potable water and the improvement of their sanitation and hygiene conditions,” the Xavier Ateneo leader added.
PROVIDING WATER SERVICES. Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan president Fr Roberto “Bobby” C Yap SJ says he is glad that Xavier Ateneo forms part of this network to provide aid and access water services for waterless barangays of the region.
Other members of the hub included the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) represented by general manager Engr Rachel Beja, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) represented by the Northern Mindanao regional director Arnel Agabe, GROUP Foundation represented by Cristina Gamos, Malaybalay City Water District (MCWD) represented by the general manager Juanito Aroa, Safer River Life Saver Foundation represented by Dr Rosalina Huerbana, and Seeway Incorporated represented by Engr Lecel Sandigan.
DILG’s Salintubig Program targets to provide aid and access to water-related services to 455 municipalities and 1,353 barangays — all of which were identified as waterless.∎