CEBU CITY -- After decades of waiting, residents of Barangays Lusaran and Pulangbato here now enjoy safe, potable, and affordable water after the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) officially commissioned expansion projects in these two areas.
These projects were prioritized by the MCWD Board of Directors, then led by Atty. Joey Daluz and now headed by Engr. Miguelito Pato.
CEBU City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia (third from right) graces the official commissioning of the expansion projects of the Metropolitan Cebu Water District in Barangay Pulangbato, Cebu City on Wednesday, Dec. 18. (Contributed photo)
The water supply comes from Lusaran River, provided by the MCWD bulk water supplier, JE Hydro and Bio-energy Corp.
As part of its commitment to the community, JE Hydro conducted pipe-laying for the Lusaran expansion, fulfilling its promise to deliver a Level 3 water supply to residents from the river.
The Pulangbato expansion project is one of nine initiatives by MCWD aimed at providing water access to mountain barangays. However, its implementation was delayed due to the Cebu City government's earlier refusal to grant excavation permits.
The delays were finally solved in May when Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia assumed office following the suspension and subsequent dismissal of then Mayor Michael Rama.
Garcia promptly signed the necessary permits.
Garcia and Daluz assured residents that within eight months, they would receive water from MCWD.
More than 200 residents in Lusaran and over 300 in Pulangbato have applied for water service connections.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by Garcia, Daluz, MCWD General Manager Edgar Donoso, officials from JE Hydro, members of the MCWD Executive Committee and department managers, Lusaran Barangay Captain Agustine Partulan, Pulangbato Barangay Captain John Barry Minoza, and barangay officials.