New polyethylene tanks were given to ten Upper Ballo family recipients by the Philippine Red Cross Bacolod Chapter and the Central Philippines State University on December 11, 2024, at the Main Campus’ Mini Hotel.
The initiative is a part of the Bridging Rural Infrastructure Development for Growth and Empowerment: A Strategic Partnership Initiative or BRIDGE project under the Ph Red Cross Bacolod and CPSU partnership.
The polyethylene tanks are perceived to be installed in the recipient residences as an integral part of household-based water catchment systems to provide beneficiaries with access and more convenient access to clean water—promoting improved sanitation and health, providing water for taking care of their livestock, and promoting agricultural activities for consumption and commerce.
“I feel happy because my family now has a tank which will be useful in tending to our crops. I look forward to the tank's arrival in our homes as having a comfort room will be easier. Thank you,” Rogie Jalapa, project beneficiary, said in an interview.
Ph Red Cross Bacolod Chapter Administrator, Ms. Rita Benita Mirasol, and CPSU President, Dr. Aladino C. Moraca led the turnover for the selected recipients, these recipients being identified families who met the criteria set for the BRIDGE project, being dependent on rainfall, having far-flung fresh water source, and lacking access to the services of water concessionaires.
During the turnover ceremony, Ms. Mirasol thanked Negros Occidental Governor and Vice Governor, Hon. Eugenio Jose Lacson, and Hon. Jeffrey Ferrer respectively, for their financial support in the project channeled through the Ph Red Cross Bacolod.
In addition to the donation of polyethylene tanks for the improvement of sanitation practices and clean water access in the said area, the BRIDGE project also encompasses training for the Upper Ballo residents in disaster response and being engaged as volunteers of the Red Cross 143, community-based volunteering program.
“This is a serious project, we pooled our financial resources—with the efforts of Ms. Mirasol and the Philippine Red Cross and our very own team, we were able to have the materials for turnover today. We hope that by January, we’ll have all ten of these polyethylene tanks delivered and installed. Also, we are hoping that a drip irrigation model system will follow next year,” exclaimed Dr. Moraca in his message for the beneficiaries.
It can be recalled that the Ph Red Cross Bacolod, CPSU, alongside the CPSU F2F ALOFT conducted a joint assessment of target households in the Upper Ballo area last October 10, aiming to have a more concrete picture of the daily realities and struggles of residents when it comes to their water and sanitation needs.
