PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Philippines – At least 17, 844 local residents are set to benefit from the government’s potable water supply system in the three towns of Agusan del Sur.

Those who will benefit from the water program are residents of far-flung communities in Sibagat, La Paz, and this town.

Under the government’s “Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig sa Lahat” program, Sibagat will receive a P10-million grant, La Paz will also get a P10-million grant, while this town will receive an P8-million grant.

The funding for Sibagat is expected to improve and upgrade the San Vicente-Ilihan Water System Association in the villages of of Ilihan and San Vicente, the funding of La Paz will also rehabilitate the Maygading Water System in Maygading and Poblacion, improvement and upgrading of the Tag-Oyango Water System Multi-Purpose Cooperative, while the grant for this town will also rehabilitate the Potable Water System in the villages of Sta. Irene, Sta. Maria, San Salvador, and Awa.

“The ground works for the said water system projects will start next month and to be completed by May, 2012,” said Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region-13 Director Rene K. Burdeos.

The formulation and implementation of the potable water system Level I, II, and III projects are based on the feasibility study, engineering design, and technical assistance and capacity-building of the DILG, and policy-making of the National Water Resources Board.