kaban galing - front cover - galing pook

With cooperation from the community the management was able to
sustain the aim of providing cheap yet quality potable water to the
residents. Management adopted socialized pricing whereby the
consumption of the poorer residents is subsidized by those who can
afford to pay. At the same time, residents were made aware that what
they paid for water service would also fund other projects of the
community. Thus, the slogan, “The more you consume, the more you
pay; the more you gain!” became the guiding principle. Under this setup,
there is subsidy on one hand, yet profits are still generated with
which to fund other projects targeted.
The operation of the waterworks was thus able to accumulate profits
to fund other projects. Management is also able to set aside sufficient
cash reserves, or buffer fund, to avert another crisis in the future.
Management
Until 1994 the waterworks system was operated by the unregistered
association of residents with the barangay officials acting as plain
advisers. When in 1995 the barangay intervened to resolve the water
crisis, the Tabok Rural Waterworks System was formalized into a nonstock,
non-profit organization. It is managed by a Board of Trustees
composed of four barangay councilmen appointed with the concurrence
of the whole barangay council, and four members elected from among
the residents. The barangay captain is the chief executive officer and
chair of the Board of Trustees.
Replicability
The managers of Tabok Rural Waterworks System believe that what
they have pioneered in their area is easily replicable in other barangays.
Its procedures are simple enough. Its approach is local governmentcommunity
partnership.
The water system of Barangay Tabok has been visited by 65 barangay
captains, town officials and municipal councilors from Dagami, Leyte,
for orientation on its operation and procedures. The barangay captain
has served as a resource person in Balanga City, Bataan.
Bonus
One of the best practices of the Tabok Rural Waterworks System is its
adoption of the community based approach in managing the enterprise.
116 Kaban Galing