Provincial Government responds to Basco water Crisis
By PIA-Batanes

Provincial Governor Vicente S. Gato is implementing short term and medium term to respond to water needs of Basco residents, and is underway to the long-term measure.

Short-term access to immediate water supply since July 17 is through the use of 10 water tanks to deliver water at checkpoints, and the rehabilitation of deep wells or artesian wells. In September all artesian wells were installed with Motorized Pumps (before it was manpower pumping). Water boys feel with ease filling water containers in short time. Then the 10-drum-capacity water tanks which were formerly managed by the municipal government were endorsed to the Batanes Electric Company (BATANELCO) to deliver water at a very minimal charge of P10.00 a drum to cover fuel consumption in delivering and for motorized water pumps into the residents' containers.

Medium term is developing water springs as alternatives in Basco and other affected municipalities. And the long term is for the rehabilitation, P12million was already released by Pres. Estrada and the P10 million is yet to come, (hopefully not hindered by the Jueteng scandal-economy crisis).

And above all, the blessings of the Almighty who gives us much rain when our drums are about to be drained. Concrete tanks, drums and containers of all sizes are occasionally filled with pure water direct from heaven.