For ages, the people of Taraka, a Lanao del Sur town by the side of the vast Lake Lanao, sourced water for their daily needs from the Taraka River which winds through the center of the town and dislodges water to the lake.
Taraka River is their swimming pool, drinking source, laundry area, et cetera.
Then, on Dec. 6, when the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) launched the MinDA Water Supply Program in Davao City,
Taraka Mayor Nashida Sumagayan, one of those who attended the event, saw hope.
MinDA Water is a joint undertaking of MinDA and the Development Bank of the Philippines with the support of the Department of Interior and Local Government Unit.
It aims to provide water for drinking and irrigation to local government units through self-reliance.
MinDA provides the technnical assistance in planning and packaging of a loan for the LGU when the project is feasible and DBP funds the project.
The DILG makes sure that the local government units implement the projects well.
To make the project viable and sustainable, MinDA teaches the LGUs the concept of Self-Reliance in Governance through the Economic Enterprise Strategy.
In the case of Taraka, MinDA organized Taraka’s Economic Enterprise Office which will manage the Main Water System to provide drinking water to the town and the six units of Solar-Powered irrigation Systems which will irrigate at least 1,000-hectares of rice farms.
Last week, during the hearing for our measly budget of P172-M, MinDA was called out for allegedly performing tasks beyond its mandate which, according to the law which created the agency, is to oversee the socio-economic development of Mindanao.
Providing water, just as in focusing on agriculture and fisheries developemnt advocacies, promotes the socio-economic development of Mindanao.
Even if it is not, what law or guidance from government prevents an agency from serving the needs of the people it sees on the ground?
This reminds me of that anecdote about the man who was hired to paint a boat but went beyond his task by fixing a hole he saw in the boat and in the process saved the lives of the children of the boat owner who sailed to the lake the following day.
#GovernanceIsCommonSense!
#KungGustoMaramingParaan!
#WhenTheHeartBeatsTheMindWorks!
(This video presentation of the signing of the MOA for MinWater Supply Program in Taraka, Lanao del Sur was produced by the Beauty & Bounty of Mindanao team for the Mindanao Development Authority.)
https://fb.watch/aLilOs4IiK/
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