Rep. Mercado said that the R27-million loan being secured by the Maasin City Water District from the German government will be used to finance its expansion and improvement projects to serve better its water consumers.

Mercado said the loan amount will be used by the water district for its massive expansion project in various barangays of Maasin City, the capital of Southern Leyte.

He said with the loan approval by the German government, some 4,000 new connections can be installed in various areas of the city.

"This loan of the Maasin City Water District to be secured from the German government, for which I asked the approval of the RDC led by Gov. Rosette Y. Lerias, will be used to finance their expansion projects. With this amount, they can install 4,000 new connections in our city," Mercado said.

Mercado said the water district will procure big pipes to accommodate more residential and commercial connections in various parts of the city.

He said the water district needs to expand for the massive growth of Maasin. With its conversion into a city, Mercado said they expect more people and business establishments in Maasin City within a few years.

Mercado added that in a growing city such as Maasin, water is a basic necessity and its delivery system has to be improved and developed to cater to the growing demand and needs of people and visitors.

Present during the RDC-RPOC joint meeting were RDC Chairwoman Gov. Rosette Y. Lerias of Southern Leyte, who presided over the meeting, RDC co-Chairwomam Pauline Nayra, Presidential Assistant Victor A. Domingo, Maj. Gen. Bonifacio Ramos of the 8th Infantry Division, Local Government Undersecretary Marius Corpuz, Public Works and Highways Regional Director Jaime A.Pacanan, Philippines Information Agency Pegional Director Olive P. Tiu, and other regional directors and representatives of the private sectors and members of the Eastern Visayas Media Association.

Ormoc City Vice Mayor Nepumuceno Aparis welcomed the RDC-RPOC members and guests as meeting host.