Community Empowerment

Even during the planning stage, the community actively participated in the discussions concerning the waterworks system. This has been observed in the the increased attendance and quality of participation in meetings. Their involvement continued during the different stages of implementation and in decision-making during monthly meetings.

When policy changes are to be implemented, prior consultation is done through organized public hearings and house to house information campaigns. It is imperative that the goals and activities related to the waterworks system are known to the people so that their cooperation would be based on trust and not because of force. Proud of their very own water system, the more affluent members of the community volunteer to do minor repairs on leaks and damaged pipes especially after typhoons occur. This small but collective effort of the community contributes to the minimization of water wastage and lessening the burden of field staff who would need to hike long distances just to be able to reach leaking pipes.

Voluntarism

The project has sparked voluntarism not just in the municipality but even in the far flung barangays. It is a known fact that if the project depended on the money from loan proceeds alone, the PG Waterworks System would never be a reality. To illustrate, in barangays where there are no funds for labor, the community volunteer their time and effort and counterpart. Because of this, the LGU was able to expand the project to other barangays.

Technology

Unlike water systems such as the mechanical type or the mini-hydros, the existing system of PGWS does not need constant oiling, tuning up, or fueling since it just utilizes gravitational force to generate spring water and a network of steel pipes to deliver water to beneficiaries.

Partnership with the IPs in environmental protection

The waterworks program has integrated resource management as a very important concern. Forest rehabilitation and protection activities is undertaken by the Iraya Mangyans of Baclayan to ensure that the watershed forest cover is adequate. This is of course important in keeping the integrity of the water source. As mentioned earlier, there is also a Municipal Resolution that provides for the allocation of 5% of the revenues derived from waterworks collection for various development programs of the Iraya Mangyans of Puerto Galera.