From Drought to Dignity

In 1998, a water system was constructed in Sitio Sanggaya, Barangay Baylanan, in the Municipality of Talakag, Bukidnon. However, by 2000, the community had begun to grow, and during a prolonged drought, residents struggled to meet their daily water needs.

“We had to fetch water at midnight, fearing there wouldn’t be enough for our household,” resident Violita Samontao said.

During this drought, the community resorted to fetching water from Kipang-ol, the nearest available source, located one kilometer away. When water in Kipang-ol was insufficient, residents traveled to Pulu, a source three kilometers away. The scarcity of water led to conflicts among neighbors and disrupted the community’s routine. At the elementary school, classes often started at ten in the morning because students needed to fetch water for the school’s use.

The situation dramatically improved in 2023 when the Assisi Development Foundation provided a new water system. “We are so grateful to Assisi because of this,” said Violita.

Another resident, Mary Jane Marinao, also expressed her gratitude: “There are no words to convey how thankful I am to the Assisi Development Foundation for including us in the list of IP communities to receive a water system. Since its construction, my household chores have become bearable. Water is integral to our daily lives — for cleaning our house, washing clothes, and preparing meals. Now, we have enough water for our toilets, and our environment is cleaner because children no longer defecate in open spaces. The water system has also resolved conflicts among neighbors.”