THE Ilocos Norte Water District (INWD) garnered three awards during the recently concluded 2007 Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) Water Districts’ Forum held June 21 at the Manila Hotel. The said forum was attended by INWD Gen. Manager John Teodoro and INWD Board Chairman Emeric Asuncion. According to Teodoro, the forum is conducted annually to serve as outlet on issues and concerns that need to be acted upon in all water districts nationwide. The said forum also coincides with the awarding for the outstanding water districts as well as special citations. This year, Teodoro announced that only INWD received three special awards as others garnered only one or two awards. The INWD was given a special award for the annexing of water supply systems to five municipalities around the province, namely the towns of Currimao, Badoc, Pinili, Piddig and Solsona, using internally generated finds totaling to P37,960,000, thereby benefiting thousands of additional consumers with potable water supply and efficient water services. The Ilocos Times learned that INWD earlier planned to apply for a loan from the Asian Development Bank through the LWUA in the amount of P67 million but they later learned that their concessionaires might end up questioning the possible higher power rates which led them to disregard the loan plan. In view of this, the INWD board then decided to reassess their generated funds and in three years time, they completed the project involving the five municipalities. Currently, INWD serves nine municipalities in the province, including Laoag City. Another award given to INWD was its compliance with the minimum requirements set by the Department of Health and in possessing the capability to conduct analytical method in the examination of water and wastewater such as the physical and chemical analysis or bacteriological testing or both. According to Teodoro, INWD is only one of few water districts around the country to have their own water-testing laboratory accredited. In Northern Luzon, only INWD’s water testing laboratory has been accredited by the DOH. The last award given to INWD was a special award for playing a vital role in the development, management and protection of watershed areas through a sustained implementation of an integrated watershed program. This award, Teodoro said, is connected to the “Hand-in-Hand” program of INWD wherein annual activities at the watershed area is held. Among the activities include film viewing and lectures on how to conserve the natural resources with ceremonial tree-planting, hiking, games and programs relevant to watershed protection. In a related development, since INWD is a government-owned or controlled corporation (GOCC), Teodoro said their employees are also covered by the 10 percent salary increase set to be implemented this month. Dominic B. dela Cruz
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