SOUTH COTABATO – The Provincial Government of South Cotabato, through the Office of the Provincial Engineer, conducted a pre-final inspection of the ₱3.8-million Potable Water System Project in Sitio Tantong, Barangay Tinago, Municipality of Norala on December 3, 2025.
The project aims to provide clean and safe drinking water to more than 80 households in the area—many of whom have long struggled with limited access to a reliable water source.
Provincial Engineer Lloyd M. Esparagosa, CE, GE, shared that the initiative stands out as one of the most challenging water system projects the province has undertaken due to the demanding terrain.
“This project is usually dubbed by the residents as ‘suntok-sa-buwan’ or impossible. This is due to the difficult terrain going to the project site which makes it difficult for the construction materials to be transported,” Esparagosa stated.
Another major challenge is the distance of the water source, located approximately three kilometers away from the main project site.
Despite these hurdles, residents expressed joy and relief as the long-awaited project nears completion.
“Nalipay gid kami kay may ara na sini [nga proyekto], kay abi namon dati imposible gid nga mapatindogan kami sini [nga proyekto] bangod sa kabudlay sang dalan pasaka diri sa amon sitio,” a concerned resident said.
(We are very happy that we already have this water system project. We thought it would be impossible because of the difficulty of our terrain going up to our sitio.)
The Office of the Provincial Engineer continues to closely monitor the project to ensure its full completion and functionality.
The Tinago water system project is among several ongoing infrastructure efforts of the provincial government, reaffirming its commitment to providing essential services to far-flung and underserved communities.
