LNU builds water system for Mamanwa tribe in Basey

Members of the Mamanwa tribe in Guirang village in Basey, Samar no longer have to travel uphill to gather water, thanks to the completion of a water system project by the Leyte Normal University (LNU) in Tacloban City.

Jennifer Cabadongga, the tribe’s chief, hailed the initiative since it will save the tribe’s 80 members from having to go 200 meters up a steep hillside to acquire water for washing and laundry.

“Even if we are tired from day-long work in farms, we have to go up to the nearby faucet to get water. With this project, we don’t have to do that,” Cabadongga said to reporters. She is optimistic that they will be able to optimize the utilization of their water filtration system for drinking as a result of this initiative.

Eva Rosal, the dean of LNU Bachelor of Arts in Communication, said that the project was made possible by the PHP30,000 net proceeds of an LNU concert staged by their department on March 4, 2020.

“Before the concert, we had already identified the Mamanwa tribe as recipient of our fund-raising event. In our consultation with them, they have identified water supply as their immediate need,” she said.

Rosal thanked the LNU students and alumni who performed in the event, artist Matmat Centino, generous sponsors, students and graduates, instructors and staff, and everyone who purchased tickets.

Photo credit: LNU. Members of the Mamanwa tribe in Basey, Samar upon the completion of the water system.