Published in the HAPIT
April-June 2006 Issue

In the early part of 2003, the Center for Development Programs in the Cordillera (CDPC) conducted baseline data research in response to the request of the community of Lan-ag in Lacub, Abra province for socio-economic assistance. The results of the research helped villagers identify socio-economic projects and trainings to augment their livelihood and have better access to social services. One particular project is the Anuling water system, which was realized through the assistance of Belgium-based non-government organization New World, a long-time solidarity partner of the CDPC. The CDPC heads the implementation of community projects in provincial chapters of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA).

Anuling profile
Anuling (Lan-ag proper) is one of the four sitios of Barangay (village) Lan-ag. The area can be reached from Bangued, the provincial center, by taking a 5-hour jeepney ride to Lacub, followed by a 5 to 6-hour hike through rugged terrain, rivers dilapidated hanging footbridges. The other route is through Vera, Tineg town, after a 3-hour jeepney ride from Bangued to Vera, then another three hours hike from Vera to Lan-ag proper.

Anuling has a total population of 283 individuals or 35 households. Agriculture is the main livelihood source of in the community. However, their produce is not enough to supply the household up to the next harvest season. Most experience 4-6 months rice shortage. Thus, farmers seek work outside the village, usually odd jobs. Students from grades 1 to 6 share an elementary school with two classrooms with three fulltime teachers. The villagers share a potable water system but the water supply is very insufficient. There is also an irrigation system provided by the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) which is subject for rehabilitation due to sub-standard implementation.

Indigenous traditions and practices are kept alive in the community. Of significance is their indigenous labor cooperation or “alluyon or abuyog”. This is a self-help labor system of the community people for common and mutual benefit.

The Project:
The Anuling water system project provides potable water for the villagers. It is managed thru their barangay-wide organization called Lan-ag Farmers Association (LFA). Technically, the project involved the construction of an intake tank from the water source, which is more or less 1 kilometer from the village. From here, a 2-inch diameter G.I. pipe was laid out to bring water to the water reservoir measuring about 18 cubic meters and located just above the houses in the village. From the reservoir 3 distributing pipes of 2” and 11/2” inches diameters were installed to distribute water to individual households. The actual project construction started in the last part of January 2006 and completed end of April 2006. It involved active coordination of CDPC staff and the united effort of the community people who gave of their precious time besides attending to other agricultural works and activities. There was also significant inter-community cooperation, especially in the hauling of materials which takes a 3-hour hike from the road or to the villages.
labor for hauling and construction, lumber, and sand and gravel (locally called BaRat). It is also important to mention that the barangay’s Local Government Unit (LGU) also contributed food for work from its Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) funds.

The villagers now enjoy better access to social services at least for safe water to drink, for bathing, washing and other household chores that require clean water. Other cultural and social activities that require bigger water consumption include weddings (boda), baptism, fiestas, and even during deaths of community members. Incidentally, the holding of a wedding in the community on May 15, 2006 motivated the people to complete the project on time. The villagers verbally expressed their utmost thanks to the staff that were present during the wedding.

To quote one of the villager’s inspiring phrases, “Dakkel unay nga iyaman mi kadakayo ta uray adayo unay ti ayan mi ket an-anusan yo ladta nga umay tapno lang tulongan dakami, no awan kayo awan met daytoy nga proyekto” (We thank you very much for helping us, taking time to travel very far to reach our community. If not for your help and presence, we would not be having our water system project).

The CDPC, in turn, recognizes that the most significant factor in the project’s accomplishment is the community’s cooperation and concerted action.# Jane Yap-ew