Handover of 2nd GDN Project

On November 15, AIDFI handed over the holistic water system installed in Sitio Lemlong in Brgy. Klubi, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. The project which was initiated on August 6 is funded as a first-prize winner in the Global Development Awards Competition (GDAC) 2024 - Most Innovative Development Project (MIDP) category, organized by the Global Development Network (GDN) and funded by the Japanese Government. AIDFI was recognized for its work in providing water to waterless communities using an innovative, fuel-free, and electricity-free hydraulic ram pump system.

The Lemlong community water system which delivers 8,731 liters daily for 67 housholds serves as their main source for drinking and household use. The project was completed on October 26 and features 1 unit 15 cu.m capacity ferrocement reservoir, 7 communal tap stands, 2 units 2" ram pumps, delivery and distribution pipelines, and toolkit for repair.

The conveyance program was held on November 15 in the community of Sitio Lemlong, it started off with a walk to the water reservoir tank for the ribbon cutting. This was witnessed by Hon. Tuding Angkoy (village chief of Klubi, Mr. Cris Fuentes (Project Development Officer of South Cotabato), Hon. Charlie Fungan (Lake Sebu Municipal Administrator), and Mr. Auke Idzenga (AIDFI co-founder and CEO). Present also were community beneficiaries belonging to the T'Boli tribe and the members from the CATCH-UP program of the Provincial Government of South Cotabato. After the ribbon cutting, a prayer was given by Pastor Freddie Basol to start the main program and then the guests were welcomed by Mr. Abing Umek, ELFA Chairperson and village chief of Klubi, Hon. Tuding Angkoy. This was followed by an intermission number by the youth who prepared a dance number.

Messages of support were then given from the provincial government of South Cotabato represented by Mr. Cris Fuentes, sharing that the full support of the Provincial Governor, Hon. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. behind this project, thanking the AIDFI team for another ram pump project in the province, and in order to develop further our communities especially those located in the far flung areas, we need support from the government and private to work hand in hand so more can be done. The message was followed by a cultural dance by the women of the community, this was followed by a message from Ms. Lyzaline Mula, who thanked AIDFI for the project, and said that the community is identified as a convergence area and that the association through the barangay may avail of other programs from the provincial government such as cash for work or road repairs. Then, a testimony was given by Ms. Starlet Alivar, who shared that the water is like to dream an impossible dream, since the community was located higher up than the water. It is a burden for the women to fetch the water far away and even carry their laundry as well. She thanked everyone involved for the realization of this impossible dream, the next generation will not anymore undergo the problems they have faced before this project. Then a special song number was given by Pastor Freddie Basol from the community and Mr. Marlon Tiwan, member of the CATCH-UP program team.

In his message to the beneficiaries, Mr. Auke Idzenga first expressed his gratitude to the province of South Cotabato for the support and that cooperation is very important for the realization of the project. It is important for the beneficiaries to work as one to realize other developments in the community and that they should take care of the water system and also the technicians. Our Technical Services Personnel, Mr. Ludovico Escarpe, then expressed his thanks for the reception of his team and support from the start of the project till the end, the strong volunteering spirit of the all the members made this project a success. He then also thanked the CATCH-UP team headed by Mr. Cris Fuentes for their all-out support in the project. Guests were then entertained using T'Boli musical instruments called Klintang before the official handover of the project.

The official handover of the project was led by AIDFI Operations Manager, Ms. Cherie Gomez. Officers of the association were assisted by the village chief for their oathtaking followed by the signing of the certificate of conveyance by Mr. Auke Idzenga and Mr. Abing Umek. Certificate of completion of training and recognition were then given to the local technicians: Mr. Joseph Manuel and Mr. Freddie Basol. This included the turnover of toolkit to the trained local technicians.

Certificate of acceptance from the municipality of Lake Sebu and village of Klubi were then presented to AIDFI. A certificate of appreciation was then given to Global Development Network, Japanese Government, Municipality of Lake Sebu, village of Klubi, and the provincial government of South Cotabato. This was followed by the turnover of 70 tabletop water filters for the community beneficiaries and mobile phone for system monitoring. A message of grattitude was given by Mr. Abing Umek, the chairperson of ELFA and a closing message by the ELFA vice-chairperson, Mr. Jefrey Alivar. The program was ended with a buffet lunch prepared by the community and in the afternoo a demonstration on the use of the water filter.

AIDFI would like to thank the Japanese Government and Global Development Network for the realization of this project and also thanks the provincial government of South Cotabato for extending their support to this project.

The project discussed in this publication has been supported by the Global Development Network (GDN) and Ministry of Finance, Government of Japan under the Global Development Awards Competition. The views expressed in this article are not necessarily those of GDN or Ministry of Finance, Government of Japan.