Jolliville water unit expands in La Union

MANILA, Philippines — Seven waterless barangays in Agoo, La Union will soon be enjoying clean and potable water from Metro Agoo Waterworks Inc. (MAWI).

MAWI is a subsidiary of Calapan Waterworks Corp. and is an affiliate company of publicly-listed Jolliville Holdings Corp. (JOH).  It was established to provide adequate and potable water supply in the town of Agoo.

 Agoo Mayor Stefanie Eriguel signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with MAWI officials led by chairman Jolly Ting and president Roderick Ongcarranceja for the provision of water services in Barangays Ambitacay, Balawarte, San Isidro, San Manuel Norte, San Nicolas West, San Roque East and San Roque West.

 “We value this new development as our constituents are in dire need of potable water. This will have direct impact to some 2,649 families in addressing health and sanitation issues in their communities. The five barangay beneficiaries are located in coastal areas while the two barangays are situated in mountain ranges where there is lack of sustainable water supply, ” Eriguel said. 

Studies have shown that there is an inadequate sustainable water source within Agoo due to the Rosario Formation, a geological unit composed of silt, sand and shale.  There is also a lack of effective water distribution system, inducing residents and establishments to dig their own wells or buy water from vendors. 

The municipality of Agoo was able to acquire a financing grant from the DILG under the Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig (Salintubig) program to establish a potable water facility in the waterless barangays, or outside the initial service area of MAWI.

  MAWI has a standing MOA with the local government unit of Agoo that covers the joint and mutual cooperation of MAWI and the Agoo LGU in the successful construction, installation, operation and maintenance of a water supply system for the supply and distribution of water for domestic, industrial and/or commercial use.

 In a statement, MAWI chairman Jolly Ting said the Salintubig program in Agoo is a shining example of public-private partnership (PPP). “

It is in the cooperation of these two sectors that will spur our country towards progress and economic sustainability,” he added.