(Photo courtesy of SNWD)
SAN NICOLAS, Ilocos Norte – The Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) has approved the release of Php 25 million to rehabilitate aging water pipelines in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, in a bid to improve water distribution and ensure a more reliable supply for residents.
San Nicolas Water District (SNWD) General Manager Marline Bonilla confirmed Wednesday that the funding was granted under the 2024 General Appropriations Act.
The approval followed the signing of a memorandum of agreement on November 9 between LWUA Administrator Jose Moises Salonga and Bonilla in Quezon City.
“A project of this magnitude would have been beyond SNWD’s capacity to undertake solely through its own resources. Thank you to the LWUA for the grant which will soon make the rehabilitation of our aging pipeline system a reality,” Bonilla said.
The project aims to replace or rehabilitate deteriorating pipelines, reduce water losses, improve water pressure and strengthen the efficiency of the municipality’s distribution system.
Bonilla said the water district hopes to begin implementation before the end of the year, subject to the release of funds.
“We hope to start implementing the project within the year as soon as the funding gets released,” she said.
The rehabilitation is expected to benefit consumers in 15 barangays by providing more dependable water services to households and other establishments.
The initiative also supports efforts to strengthen local water infrastructure amid increasing demand and prolonged dry conditions that have raised concerns over water security.
Bonilla emphasized that the financial assistance would allow the district to undertake major infrastructure improvements that would otherwise be difficult to finance using its existing resources.
LWUA is a government-owned and controlled corporation mandated to support the development and improvement of water supply systems in provincial cities and municipalities outside Metro Manila.
The agency provides financial and technical assistance to local water districts to help improve access to safe and reliable water services.
