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Loon Waterworks System Development and Expansion
Loon, Bohol
1998
Defying all odds, the people of Loon, Bohol came out the winner. The struggle started in 1993 when the constituents, in a very rare collective effort, resisted the Loon Water District's almost annual water bill price hike. The sustained clamor for the turnover of the water system's administration back to the Municipal Government dragged on for two years. Various power plays, court battles, and brandishing of strong political will by local leaders marred the tumultuous period, resulting in the dissolution of the Loon local water district on May 5, 1995 in accordance with the provisions of P.D. 198.
When the municipal government of Loon had taken over the ownership, operation, and management of the local water system, the present number of individual beneficiaries increased from 8,000 to 18,343 in thirty-two out of sixty-seven barangays in the municipality. Not only that, the current local water system had not raised fees since 1993. The income derived from the program went back to the LGU and was utilized for better efficiency and expansion of the service particularly in the upland barangays. Since the program implementation, efforts have been focused on the rehabilitation and protection of watersheds, improved connection and maintenance of pipelines, and professionalization of the management of the water district's finances. Having a reliable water supply has made the municipality a more attractive place to do business. Now, Loon is in the position of being in complete command of its own water resources - a perfectly sensible situation to be in, but unfortunately so rare in the country.
This program is recognized as a Trailblazing Program, a finalist for the 1998 Galing Pook Awards.
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