The Official Publication of ROTARY CLUB OF BILIRAN ISLAND
A N G T U L AY Volume 2, Issue #1
N a v a l , B i l i ra n , P h i l i p p i n e s
July 2016
Catmon folks enjoy completed water project Bù: ÙãÄ. RÊ Ù®¦Ê S. V® ãÊÙ®
GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE
About 320 households of Brgy. Catmon in Naval, Biliran now enjoy non-stop supply of potable water with the completion of the Ram Pump and Level II water distribution project last June 2016. The completed project which costs Php 4.74 million is one of the 2 similar projects funded by Coca-Cola Agos Foundation and is jointly implemented by AIDFI (Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation Inc.) and the Rotary Club of Biliran Island. Included in the project is the installation of 6 ram pumps at the water source 11 kms away, the construction of 4 reservoirs, and laying of pipes. The water is distributed to households through 37 tapstands installed in different locations in Brgy. Catmon Proper, Sitio Puro,
24/7 water supply. Residents of Brgy. Catmon enjoy the non-stop water supply right beside their doorsteps. Sitio Mocalbocal and Sitio Baras. At least 1 tapstand for every 8-10 households. The community, through the Catmon Water Association (CAWA), will manage the project and ensure its sustainability after the turn-over in September 2016. A minimal fee will be collected from each household for the maintenance
of the ramp pumps and the pipelines. CAWA, a DOLE registered association, is currently headed by Edgar Sacare. “Daghang Salamat!” (Thank You!) is what Mano Nelson Sarsosa could say about the project. Mano Nelson, a Catmon folk enjoy, p.2
RC Biliran Island installs new officers Bù: RãÄ. F®ÙÃÊ C Ä®½½ Ý The Rotary Club of Biliran Island will hold its 2nd induction of officers and turn-over ceremonies on the evening of July 23 at D’Mei Residence Inn WAD Mall, Naval, Biliran. Past president Ferdinand Morillo will turn-over the banner and club leadership to Rtn. Mario Lydinno Opeña, the new Club president. Rtn Opeña, who is a lawyer by profession, is one of the charter members of RCBiliran island and has served the
club in various capacities. Assistant Governor Joy Romero, Zone 3C, will do the honor of inducting Rtn Opeña and the other officers for RY 2016-2017, namely, Gregory Pastor as Vice-President, Rodrigo Victoria as Secretary and Jean Jane Diu as Treasurer. Board of Directors, Rey Rom Garrido, Ferdinand Morillo, Firmo Cabanillas, Noel Pla, Marilou Lucente and Edna Pitao-Honor. During the activity, 3 new
members will be inducted to the club by the new club president . The event will also recognize the unstinted support of two native Biliranons, Rtn Analiza Felicitas-Yu and Rtn. Walter Diu, both BOD of RC-Kankabato, and to induct them as honorary members of RC-Biliran Island. RC-Biliran Island, an offspring of RC-Kankabato, was approved by Rotary International as Club 86431 last February 11, 2015.
DEAR FELLOW ROTARIANS, Greetings and Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Biliran Island on the occasion of your Installation of Officers and Directors and Turnover Ceremonies for Rotary Year 2016-2017! I am confident you will have a fruitful and meaningful year ahead. From Being a Gift to the World to Rotary Serving Humanity is a commitment that is both a privilege and responsibility. The success of your year will largely depend on your strategic planning, dedication, commitment, hard work and zeal for service. It is an exciting year for all of us as The Rotary Foundation turns a century of Doing Good in the World. Rotary’s founder, Paul Harris, believed that serving humanity is “the most worthwhile thing a person can do,” RI President-Elect John F. Germ Governor’s Message, p.2
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Small stuff, all star service
2
Insights and Experiences as a Charter President
3
Women in Rotary
4
The Tie that Binds Us
5
Ram Pump Project, Ramping-up Lives
8
Ang Tulay
Page 2
Small stuff, all star service Bù: M Ù®Ê Lù ®ÄÄÊ OÖ Ç , Club President the patch of land you are standing when one visits the areas is the comfort zone itself. Gross? This is reality waiting for a solution. And we shall provide our communities with this very basic piece of comfort through the Gawad Kasilyas project.
TALKING OF THE GREATEST IT IS SERVICE TO HUMANITY. Nothing compares to a life shared with others. Perhaps, we might ask why should we serve others? Why sweat when we can sip coffee, talk and spend our own sweet time free from the worries of those who are living in the hemline of society. The answer is plain and simple. We are tenants in this world. Service to others is the best rent we could pay. CREED?
Throwback to December 19, 2014. I was invited to come to D’Adaone. Hurriedly I came over, who would not come, it could have been a free lunch sponsored by Engr. Ferdinand D. Morillo. But it was not a free lunch. It was an orientation and leg working for the creation of a new ROTARY CLUB this side of the world. It was kind of odd when I was introduced to persons wearing colorful polo shirts with pins on their collar. I surmised, they could be the newest boy band out of Tacloban City. But they mean business. Yes, they were promoting and selling something, actually. They talked about service to humanity. We were chartered February 11, 2015. I thought, I will just be tagging along and attend meetings. The usual things that a club member do. Later, my fellow Rotarians told me that I am the P. E. I took everything in stride. The initials were too trivial. But when I read and learned later what P. E. is, man I was screaming due process. I was absent when I was named, and that is estoppel. I entered no motion for reconsideration neither serious objection. I have to be ready. I would tag along with Engr. Ferdinand D. Morillo in most of the concerns of the Rotary Club of
Biliran Island, call it breaking of the shell. In a very short span of time, with the zeal and dedication of Engr. Ferdinand D. Morillo we have gained ground in providing service to the community. Now it is the turn of the green horn. And with arms wide open, no refusal, I will serve and we will collectively lead! Rotary Club of Biliran Island had gained ground in providing all star community service in the Province of Biliran. WATER, SANITATION AND HEALTH [WASH]. There is a recognized problem in water, sanitation and health. And we have been in the frontlines, brave enough to partner with CocaCola AGOS Foundation and AIDFI in providing potable water to the hemlines of our communities. And there is no reason why we should not continue the same with the generosity of Coca-Cola AGOS Foundation and AIDFI. GAWAD KASILYAS. A walk around the areas where there are no comfort rooms is not a walk in the park. Yes, you read it right. There is a need to answer this problem, for there are certain areas where there are no comfort rooms and chances are
ALTERNATIVE LITERACY PROJECT. Why don’t we pack our bags during certain weekends and spend sometime in the countryside waging war. Yes, waging war against illiteracy by way of an alternative literacy activities. We will encircle the city through the countryside. FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE [Registration of Fact of Birth]. A birth certificate is akin to ones identity. It means a lot. But by way of experience, there are a lot of individuals in the barangays who does not have any Certificate of Live Birth for numerous reasons and this was very evident during the 2015 Naval Pueblo Day when we participated in providing legal assistance to the community. But we should not limit ourselves in what is written here. We can do so much by doing small things. Together, we shall channel our collective efforts, talents and skills in providing all star service to the community. All of these things might be insignificant to others, small stuff to the mighty but surely we will bring hope and smile to the muted sufferings of those who are in the hemlines of our community. We will SERVE! We will collectively LEAD!
July 2016
Governor’s Message, from p. 1 said that “being a part of Rotary is a great opportunity to make that happen; an opportunity of a lifetime to change the world for the better, forever through Rotary’s service to humanity. The potential is limitless as we earnestly engage Rotarians and take action. Your district officers are ready to serve and support you. I wish you a wonderful year of successful service as we work together to serve humanity! Yours in Rotary service, MARY ANNE SOLOMON District Governor RY2016-2017
Catmon folk enjoy, from p. 1 fisherman, is one of the active sitio leaders who helped and extended free labor especially in the laying of pipes. “We never expected that in just 3 monthtime, we are now enjoying uninterrupted water supply right beside our doorsteps”, Mano Nelson added. Brgy. Captain George Dela Peña also expressed his gratitude for the ram pump project as the no. 1 problem on the scarcity of water supply in his barangay has been addressed. “We celebrated our annual fiesta last July 15-16 with abundant supply of water,” he said. “My constituents were very happy and thankful.” Aside from providing water to the residents, the project also has a community development component such providing trainings on livelihood, technical know-how on organic fertilizer production, and knowledge on proper solid waste management.
Ang Tulay
July 2016
Page 3
Insights and Experiences as a Charter President Bù: RãÄ F Ù ®Ä Ä D. MÊÙ®½½Ê “WHY HAVE KIDS?” That’s a question couples tend to ask. At a young age, I tried asking it to somebody after noticing that some couples quarrel about child rearing or monetary problems related to the children’s education, health and other needs. Is it really because it is a norm to have a kid if you are married? Growing up, I realized that it is more than that. Nowadays, couples weighing the decision to start a family are increasingly aware of the underlying responsibility that it entails, some through books and experiences. These responsibilities include a clear vision on how to support the child from inception until such time that they can stand on their own. When I started floating the idea of establishing a service club, I was thinking of these responsibilities and the challenges and sacrifices that come with it. However, I thought that having a lean and select people with vision, known to sacrifice their time, money and effort to give service to the people of Biliran, establishing one is better than not doing anything at all. Thus, with the help of identified charter members and our host/mother club, the Rotary Club of Kankabato in Tacloban, the Rotary Club of Biliran Island, our baby
was born. The first Rotary Club in the Province of Biliran, I heard, after a couple of attempts by other groups. Just like a couple with a first born kid, obviously, I was elated when I got a text message informing me of the approval from Rotary International as the newest club of 2015. However, at the back of my mind, and just like having a first born, I was President Dindin Morillo received the rotary bell and gavel from Pres. Anil Kumar of RC anxious on whether I can raise it well. In- Kankabato dduring his installation. deed, it is not surprising that some parents experience I remember one Rotarian some sort of postpartum depresduring the orientation of our sion. mother club saying “You cannot be a Rotarian if you are not And so, the journey began... busy”. I had difficulty at first Babies require a great investunderstanding it. But later on, I ment and commitment from parrealized that what it really meant ents and loved-ones. Having a was, you should have gone baby club has its own share of through being busy in your life investment and commitment too. so that you will have the ability As what our very active colto juggle your time between perleague, Rtn. Rodrigo Victoria, sonal and Rotary, between work always pointed out, to be an acand Rotary, between family and tive Rotarian takes more than Rotary, and sometimes, do both presence but more importantly, simultaneously, to make all the 3T’s of Giving - Time, Talent things work. Oh, it was chaotic at and Treasure. first with some members not attending regular meetings, some coming in late, and some forget (or purposely forget) the responsibility of attending. Until now, meeting attendance is still a challenge with some agreeing to attend a week earlier but begging off at the last minute, some don’t care even if others have canceled important commitments just to attend the meetings.
Induction of RC Biliran Island officers for RY 2015-1016 on March 28, 2015.
Our talents, whatever it may be, are equally important to be a
Rotarian. All of us have this talent – some still don’t realize it, some afraid of showing it, others don’t want to share it because it may consume some of their time. Talents are a gift from God, and as we share our talents in the service of the people, we are actually sharing it to God’s other creatures too. Probably as part of the birthing pains of the organization, I have observed that there are still untapped talents within the members and I continue to encourage all members to share whatever it is everyone is holding out in the service of humanity. There is a pre-conceive notion within the community that being a Rotarian requires members to be rich. This is false. As with any organizations, it is true that it requires annual dues and other expenses especially for projects intended for the community. But come to think of it, if we can spare something for unnecessary things that nobody notices and appreciates, wouldn’t it be a joy seeing people’s smile for something that you have done to their lives for the same amount of money? I remember a quote, which says, “If you only live but do not Insights & Experiences, p.6
To be an active Rotarian takes more than presence but more importantly, the 3T’s of Giving Time, Talent and Treasure.
Page 4
Ang Tulay
July 2016
Bù: RãÄ. M Ù¦ çø AĦ ½® R. C Ç ã WOMEN. THEY HAVE They have conquered the world. They have fortified themselves. Gone are the days when women were perceived as the subservient, inferior weaker sex. Parochial are the views that discriminate women. These days, women rule, women dominate. Even our country was once under the reigns of two powerful women. At present, the second highest post of the land is occupied by no less than a woman. The presence of women in the society is palpable. They come in different stripes and colors. They are leaders, managers, artists, local chief executives, entrepreneurs, etc. Some may be occupying less stellar roles, but they too are respectable and accomplished in their own rights. EVOLVED.
supporting their advocacies, or women involved in organizations that support their cause. The notion of women loudly and actively engaged in an organization has become widely acceptable. Women, in their quest for gender equality, have become more visible. They form or join organizations and these organizations become their mouthpiece. Now, it is normal to see women being involved in civic organizations because the women of today have become more aware and sensitive to issues that concern not only herself but humanity. Society has embraced the idea that not only men, but also women can be of useful service to humanity. At times, women can be even more empathizing on issues that affects the public.
Unlike the ancient times, women are now accorded equal rights and privileges as men. Their hands are no longer curtailed and their mouths can freely express what their minds think. Sometimes, they can be more eloquent and articulate than men (I’m sorry men hehehe!). Other times they can be unpredictable, emotional, and vague, but no worries, it makes them even more beautiful as a woman.
In a Rotary organization like ours, there was a time when women membership was not allowed. Back then, women were part of Rotary activities just because they were the wives and daughters of a male Rotarian. Never were they members in their own right. Later, in order to adapt to the demands of a changing world, a watershed decision was made that paved the way to the admission of women to the Rotary, hence the women members.
In this era of openmindedness, the perception of the public towards women has also evolved. Women are now allowed to come out of their cocoon. They are no longer prisoners of their own home doing domestic tasks. They actively take part on matters that affect not only their family but also the society as a whole. Now, we can see women as loud as men in
Becoming a member of a Rotary Organization is an immense contribution to the empowerment of a woman. It plays a vital role in the molding of an independent, self-reliant, versatile woman. To be a part of an organization in pursuit of a meaningful cause gives a woman a feeling of self- worth and selfimportance. The moment a woman Rotarian spares a fraction of
her time in order to assist in medical missions, aid in the distribution of school supplies to the needy children in far-flung provinces, or feeds the malnourished in an impoverished community, that woman develops a feeling of self worth, self importance, and self-validation. Becoming a part of a magnanimous advocacy will buoy up the morale and confidence of a woman. On the other hand, what about the contributions of a woman vis-a vis a Rotary Organization? When a woman becomes a Rotarian, what does she impart to the Rotary? A rotary is a gender-neutral organization such that there is no objective difference between what a male and a female Rotarian can do. To help has no gender and it does not qualify whether you are a man or a woman. But we all know that when a woman involves herself in something, it is not only her time and effort that she gives, she also pours her heart and soul unto it. A woman is so compassionate about her work/cause that she will completely pour her heart and soul
unto it. Work is no longer tedious and tiresome when it is touched by the hands of woman. Rotary activities/causes become sympathetic and compassionate, when the heart of a womanrotarian is behind it. Sometimes, there are issues that are better understood/addressed by a woman. Men put their mind on their work while women, not only do they use their mind, they also season it with love and passion. Rotary work then becomes the output of the combined work of the mind and the heart. A rotary organization is an effective tool for a woman to champion her cause. Things she cannot do alone can now be done through the collective effort of the Rotary as a whole. Through the rotary, a woman is able to channel out her longing to help and create an impact. The rotary club becomes an instrument in the fulfillment of woman’s dream to be counted and make a difference in a vast world. The rotary club is a woman’s leverage in her pursuit for change. Therefore, a rotary club means change to a woman’s life.
Ang Tulay
July 2016
Page 5
The Tie that Binds Us Bù: RãÄ. E Ä S. P®ã Ê-HÊÄÊÙ
fact, the organization is a conglomeration of several personalities, different political leanings, people of different backgrounds and expertise but united in one purpose of serving.
Man is by nature a social animal; an individual who is unsocial naturally and not accidentally is either beneath our notice or more than human. Society is something that precedes the individual…Aristotle. Being that man is a social animal, he cannot dissociate himself from the rest of the people and of society. In blending into the social fabric of our nation, there must be close relationship between the society and the people. The inner urging to connect that social nexus brought about by mutual dependence must then be heeded because members of society are linked together. As John Donne aptly puts it “No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main…” But while people in the society are linked together, there are others who are far better off in status, talent, wealth and more than the others. Others live a life and world so starkly different and above the others. These are the people who enjoy the upper hand in terms of confidence and resources. While on the opposite side of the social spectrum are those who live in a hand-tomouth existence and even lie-inwait for whatever crumbs and morsels that may be handed over to them. These are the people who, generally, feel inferior. But even with that vast chasm of difference in social standing, they both are a part of the society and are linked together with one another to each other. Others may have a low stature in life, but people still owe them respect and they should be regarded with dignity. Helping them in having a way out from their destitute condition is even two-pronged: it gives the person being helped be alleviated from the condition
they are in and at the same time it helps satisfy that inner desire of wanting so much to help on the part of the one helping. Together they would grow. Hand in hand, they will face the world with dignity and hope. However, an individual wanting to help cannot give a bigger and as much impact in the aid he is giving compared to when he unites with other people who have the same desire and purpose. While individuals are encouraged to do their respective share in helping others, it is also much more encouraged for collective efforts to be initiated. This is where an organization comes in. There is might in numbers. And there may be a scintilla of truth in that adage, especially when the organization has already established a long-running track record of credibility. And when we speak of credibility, the Rotary Club International with undisputedly proven track record of showing its leadership in carrying forward its mission of being a partner in responding to societal problems easily comes to mind. “The Rotary Club International started with the vision of one man---Paul P. Harris. The Chicago attorney formed one of the world’s first service organization, the Rotary Club of Chica-
go on 23 February 1905 as a place where professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. Rotary’s name came from the group’s early practice of rotating meetings among the offices of each member.” Since then its membership and charter organizations had grown exponentially until reaching the shores of the Province of Biliran. Even with its infancy, high-impact projects with longlasting and transcendental effects had already been initiated and turned over to the recipients. There is no doubt that the Rotary Club of Biliran Island plays a vital role as partner for the progress, development and alleviating the destitute condition of some Biliranons here in the Province. The local government with its various concerns and, perhaps, different set of priorities, cannot and may have neglected the other sectors needing equal, if not utmost, attention. That is where the Rotary Club of Biliran is trying to complement. The organization is apolitical and shuns political leaning as a criterion in choosing the project and the recipients. In
Rotary Club of Biliran Island satisfies the inner calling to serve found in each and every heart of RC-Biliran Rotarian. It is that desire to be of service to others that serves as the cohesive glue among its members of diverse background. To be a member really requires sacrifice and generosity. Every now and then each member had to contribute. On top of that there are the annual and all other dues one had to pay and remit to Rotary Club International to guarantee the continuous and good standing existence of the Club. But it is with a grateful heart that one shells out some amount from his/her hard-earned income in order to be able to contribute for the greater good of the recipients. That is how each and every Rotarian is trying to establish that social nexus into the social fabric of the nation and society. To be able to help, to be able to serve and to help achieve a happier and better world. A philanthropist may say, that to fully define success, it must also include in the definition serving others. The Rotary Club of Biliran raised it a notch higher by adopting the club’s motto of “Service Above Self.” And that is the tie that binds us all, members of the Rotary Club of Biliran Island.
Ang Tulay
Page 6
July 2016
Insights and Experiences… from p.3 give, you do not live”. Sometimes we forget that giving is another way of living. Quite frankly, one of the challenges of being a Rotarian, especially for a baby organization like RC Biliran Island, is some requirement to attend conventions and seminars, where members might be spending time and money and being away from home, mostly, if not all, from the members pocket. I consider this as birthing pains, since if all members are “Rotarized” by sharing their time and talents, fund raising activities to support at least a club representative to conventions and seminars, can probably solve this problem. Commitment Humanity.
in
Serving
For more than a year that I have been involved in Rotary activities as its Charter President, I think the most valid observation why the club is still facing these challenges is, for whatever reason, some members lack commitment. In the analogy of our “baby story”, I think that just like planning to have a baby, parents and family members should have commitment and have awareness of the responsibilities in order to successfully raise a child in a way they perceived it would be. Similarly, we, as Rotarians, should think about this baby we all planned and have pledged our support, for it to grow and become mature. We need to have commitment, we need to be all Rotarized. But amidst the challenges mentioned above, that we, as a baby club sometimes encounter, we have achieved more than we have expected, in terms of service projects that definitely put smiles to the community we have serviced. Balik-Eskwela Project in Brgy. Bacolod and Calipayan
both in the Municipality of Culaba, which benefited more than 100 pupils by providing them with free school bags, uniforms, and school supplies. As an active participant in the Medical Mission organized by BCBP Naval and conducted by Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko Foundation volunteers, in the Municipality of Caibiran Fund-raising for Nepal Earthquake Victims, Free Medical and Legal Assistance conducted by Lawyer/Medical Profession-members during the Municipality of Naval Pueblo Day intended to address legal and medical problems of the blue-collar workers in Naval. Ram Pump Water Distribution Project in partnership with the Alternative Indigenous Foundation Inc. (AIDFI), LAHAT Community Empowerment, financed by the Coca-Cola Agos Foundation – the biggest project approved by AIDFI/Agos Foundation, which would benefit 5 component barangays of the Municipality of Naval, targeting roughly two thousand households with an approved budget of PHP 13M total. The Brgy. Catmon project is already completed and awaiting turn-over, while Brgys. Libtong, Villacaneja, Cabungaan and part of Caraycaray are still undergoing implementation and scheduled to be completed sometime in July or early August 2016. Not bad for a baby club, isn’t it? As I bid farewell as the President of this club and relinquish it to my successor, Mario, I would like to thank everyone for your support and encouragement during the duration of my term as President. To the RC Kankabato Rotarians for your guidance, support and inspiration. I hope you will continue your relentless effort to help improve and support your baby club.
To the District Officers; PDG Boy Salanatin and Lady Irene, PDG Buddy Estudillo, PDS Walter Diu, PP Anil Kumar, IPP Gilbert Tugado. To our Honorary Members, Rtn. Annaliza Felicitas -Yu and Rtn. Walter Diu of RC Kankabato. To the Charter Members of the Rotary Club of Biliran Island and their families, for your support and understanding. To my family especially my wife (who have been recently “Rotarized” after keeping me company in some Rotary activities, including climbing mountains) for the support, guidance and encouragement. To the service project sponsors especially the AIDFI organization and CocalCola Agos Foundation for agreeing to be a partner in delivering water to those in need To the community and associations we have partnered in extending the Rotary -brand of service to the community. To the LGU officials for your support I believe that together, just like having parents, godparents and families who cares for their babies and nurture them to grow and
become a good citizen of the community, I am confident that this baby club will get stronger as it grows, be a Gift to the World and continue the Rotary Serving Humanity brand of service.
Distributing school bags and uniforms to 100 pupils in Patag Elementary School, Culaba.
Conducting free legal assistance and medical consultation during the Pueblo Day in Naval.
RC BiliranIsland partnered with KKMK and BCBP-Naval in a Medical Mission in Caibiran..
Members of RC BiliranIsland appraise the status of implementation of Catmon ram pump project.
July 2016
Ang Tulay
Ramp pump project, from p. 8
sure) – e.g. from spring on a hillside, building pressure on the pump and finally, pumping the pressurized water uphill, without using electricity. This technology is ideal for areas where, despite plentiful of water, the terrain makes it impossible to distribute using gravity. This project is very impressive that AIDFI was recognized worldwide through numerous awards given by various awardgiving bodies; as a recipient of the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2011, the Ashden Awards for sustainable energy and the RELX Group Environmental Challenge Award in 2015. Although the Municipality of Naval has been the recipient of several ram pump projects in the past, this project was introduced to RC Biliran Island by RC Kankabato through RY 20152016 Pres. Gilbert Tugado and some of his members including Fr. Calvin Bugho, OFM, an honorary member of RC Kankabato. The relentless support extended by the staff of AIDFI from its management, Auke Idzenga, CEO and Che Idzenga, Director; engineering, Robert Vasquez and team; and community organizers, the husband and wife duo of Moven and Lydia Ligahon; and the able and active members of RC Biliran Island, have paved a way for the approval of these projects. More importantly, the sacrifices of the Community Development Facilitators of AIDFI, who have immersed themselves
into the community to understand their plight and help organized the grassroots to make the project more sustainable, is also worth-mentioning. Two proposals submitted through AIDFI were approved by the Coca-Cola Agos Foundation somewhere on March 2016. Project no. 1: Level 2 water distribution project for Brgy Catmon comprising of 3 Sitios (Puro, Mocalbocal, Baras) and Catmon Proper with a budget of Php 4,743,757.52 Project no. 2: Level 2 water distribution project for Brgy Libtong including Sitio Libtong Gamay, Brgy Villacaneja, Brgy. Cabungaan and some Sitios of Brgy Caraycaray. Approved budget is Php 7,438,877.35. Level 2 water system is a system where water is distributed through a common faucet such as a tapstand. At least 10 households will share one tap stand. The project finally started on March 2016 for the Brgy Catmon Project and ended with some pending minor works on June 2016. Target turn-over of the projects to the water associations, which would eventually own and manage it, is somewhere in Sept. 2016. “This is awesome! Nobody believed it can be done in record time!”, said some teary-eyed villagers who have dreamt of that day where everyone have access to clean water in their vicinity. The ram pump project is not
solely about providing water to its beneficiaries, although this is the main goal. Equally important are several component projects that has been designed by AIDFI and Agos Foundation to make it more sustainable. Community empowerment, solid waste management, livelihood projects from recycled materials, organic farming and organic fertilizer production, watershed conservation, and community involvement through Bayanihan and via the different water associations in each Sitios and Brgys have been trained by professional NGOs like LAHAT Community Empowerment. LAHAT, short for Langit, Araw, Hangin, Ako, Tubig, is made up of team of volunteers who passionately believe that an informed people make for a stronger community. Another component of the AGOS ram pump project is the distribution of water filters to each household beneficiary. Technically, the water filter is given free of charge to households who helped lay out pipes from the main line to their respective tap stands, in the spirit of Bayanihan. One of the reason for encouraging community involvement is to develop their sense of ownership in the whole project. This way, the community can be empowered to help maintain, improved and sustain the project. The water filter is made of ceramic clay and could kill water born bacteria that causes diseases such as amoebiasis, diarrhea, typhoid fever and schistosomiasis, to name a few. It has two pail with a capacity of 10 liters enough for a day use of a typical household. The life
Page 7
Auke Idzenga of AIDFI received recognition from US President Bill Clinton for its Ram Pump program. span of this filter is 2 years and the filter replaceable with available filters in the market. Community owns the Project The ram pump project shall be turned-over to the respective Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-registered and independent Water Associations in the recipient barangays. These associations were organized by AIDFI’s Community Development Team with the assistance of RC Biliran Island. The idea is to empower the association to organize, manage and maintain the project for sustainability. Minimal monthly dues will be collected by the association from their members for maintenance , technicians’ allowance, and association fund for future use. “When water is near, life is easier”, exclaimed one water beneficiary in Sitio Mocalbocal, Brgy Catmon, after the first water out. Indeed, one of the main objectives of RC Biliran Island and AIDFI – to make life easier to those in need, Rotary Serving Humanity.
RC-Biliran members posed with the water project beneficiaries in Sitio Mocalbocal after the solid waste mgt and organic fertilizer training.
Ram Pump Project, Ramping-up Lives Bù: RãÄ F Ù ®Ä Ä MÊÙ®½½Ê Charter President, RC Biliran Island “This water source downhill has been surveyed a couple of times by several groups who wants to provide our uphill community with water, but until now, nothing happened”, thus said an elderly woman showing skepticism that water supply for their households is still far from reality. “We have barangay water supply system but there is no water coming out from our faucets!”, said another dismayed citizen. “Madayon na gyud na? (Will it really push through?)”, says some skeptic villagers in Brgy. Catmon.
several communities comprising more than 1,000 households in several component barangays in Naval, Biliran. RC Biliran Island has been trying to address the Rotary International call to support WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) projects. This is evident with the first project proposal, dubbed Kawad Kasilyas – a project that would have provided sanitary toilets to remote barangays in identified areas in the Province of Biliran. As a baby club with financial limitation, the project did not materialize. Add to it is the issue of continuous water supply requirement to make it work. Thus, the focus was shifted to solve a more pressing concern – water supply.
RC-Biliran Island members inspect one of the 37 tapstands located in Brgy. Catmon together with AIDFI Community Dev’t Facilitators. 1,000 households is now being implemented. This finally happened after climbing mountains to look for water sources, negotiating with the water sources owners and affected farmers, discussing with the LGU both local and barangays, talking to the community and finally closing a Memorandum of Understanding between AIDFI and RC Biliran Island on Jan. 12, 2016.
AIDFI is a world-renowned, That was in October 2015, multi-awarded NGO headed by a when a group of Rotarians from Dutchman Auke Idzenga, its RC Kankabato, RC Biliran IsCEO, based in Bacolod. AIDFI land, Naval LGU and the Alteris an NGO which focuses in native Indigenous Development Fast-forward it to the present, community development proFoundation Inc. (AIDFI) reprethe RC Biliran Island and AIDFI jects using alternative and indigsentatives visited some water Ram Pump Water Distribution enous technologies, like ram sources in the Municipality of Project funded by Coca-Cola Agos pump. In recent years, AIDFI Naval, with the hope of finding Foundation, for 5 component ba- has taken this technology beyond solution to a known critical probrangays in the Municipality of the Philippines to Nepal, Aflem of lack of water supply to Naval, that would benefit almost ghanistan, Colombia and even to 1st world countries like Japan to Ram Pump Project 1 Ram Pump Project 2 pump water from impossible Project Location: Brgy. Catmon Proper, Sitio Brgy Libtong, Sitio Libtong terrains, and has benefitted more Puro, Sitio Mocalbocal and Gamay, Brgy Villacaneja, than 400 villages by providing SItio Baras Brgy. Cabungaan and Brgy clean water to more than Caraycaray. 250,000 people. Ram pump is an Total Budget: PHP 4,743,757.52 PHP 7,438,877.35 ingeniously simple and almost maintenance-free piece of deWater source: Sitio Bunot, Haguikhikan Sitio Libtong Gamay (Distance: 11.22 kms.) (Distance: 13 kms.) vice, originally invented in the 18th century. The technology No, of Beneficiaries: 320 households 700 households was improved by AIDFI by usNo. of ram pumps: 4” diameter - 4 units 4” diameter – 9 units ing materials available locally 3” diameter – 2 units 3” diameter – 1 unit (like the robust and easily replaceable door hinge to provide No. of reservoirs: 100 cubic meter – 1 unit 15 cubic meter – 3 units 25 cubic meter – 1 unit 10 cubic meter – 8 units the pump action and car tire to 15 cubic meter – 1 unit 5 cubic meter – 1 unit provide the check valve) and 10 cubic meter – 1 unit utilizing local workforce to proNo. of tap stands: 37 units 75 units vide them with livelihood.
The ram pump works by using the pressure of the large volume of water falling from a short distance (hydraulic presRam Pump project, p.7
MISSION OF ROTARY CLUB We provide service to others, promote integrity and advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through fellowship of business, professional and community leaders. OBJECT OF ROTARY The object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprises and, in particular, to encourage and foster: First: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service. Second: Integrity in business and profession, the recognition of the worthiness of all occupations, and dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society. Third: The application of the ideals of service in each Rotarian’s personal, businessand community life. Fourth: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideals of service.