BARMM Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim and MILG Minister Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo during the inspection and launching of desalination machines on Friday, July 30, 2020 in Parang,Maguindanao.
PARANG, MAGUINDANAO—To address the crisis on safe drinking water in the Bangsamoro Island provinces, the Bangsamoro Government is about to deliver the first three (3) sets of desalination machines worth Php20,000,000.00 each to the municipalities of Pata, Pandami, and Hadji Panglima Tahil in Sulu on August 04, 2021.
On Friday, July 30, Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim and Interior and Interior and Local Government Minister Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo led the inspection and launching ceremony of the said project at Barangay Polloc in Parang, Maguindanao.
At least ten (10) units of machines that will convert salty sea into fresh drinkable water will be installed in provinces of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi by the Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG), funded by the 2020 contingency fund of the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM).
Chief Minister Ebrahim reiterated that this project is basically intended for waterless communities in Island provinces that have no access to clean and drinkable water.
“Sa mga constituents natin, especially sa Island provinces, ay ginagawa ng BARMM ang lahat dahil alam namin na marami kayong pinagdadaanan na challenges, hindi lang itong tubig,” he said.
“We would like to ensure them na talagang hanggang sa kaya natin ay ibibigay natin sa kanila ang mga pangangailangan nila at ito ay panimula pa lamang at mayroon pang mga susunod na mga proyekto na mag-a-address sa mga challenges nila,” he added.
On May 27, MILG and Water Equipment Technologies (WET) Industries, Inc. had signed a contract agreement. [Related Story: https://bangsamoro.gov.ph/news/latest-news/milg-addresses-potable-water-scarcity-in-island-provinces-thru-desalination-machines/ ]
WET Industries, Inc. Operation Manager Donna N. Paiso said that the they are fully committed to help and support the BARMM constituents and the Bangsamoro Government.
“We commit ourselves to you at sana mas maraming maisip na projects ang BARMM Government para tuluy-tuloy yung pagtulong natin sa constituents ng Mindanao. Napakagandang proyekto at hindi ito malilimutan kahit kailanman,” said Paiso.
“It was a noble gift sa mga tao dito sa Mindanao […] all of a sudden ito na nga yon dream come true after 2 years,” she added.
Meanwhile, Minister Sinarimbo emphasized that the seven (7) desalination machines are in transit from Manila to the region.
“Ang target natin ay mga waterless communities, initially iyong mga munisipyo sa Sulu at Tawi-Tawi na based sa testing at nauna nang ginawang process ay wala talaga tayong makukuha na potable water maski mag-drill tayo doon sa mga munisipyo na ito ay maalat pa rin iyong tubig,” he said.
Also, the Commission on Audit representative was present and showed support to the regional government. (Bangsamoro Information Office)
