How One Thirsty Mountain Community Turned Unity Into a Lifeline

For decades, the residents of Sitio Rayusan in Barangay Armado, Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro lived with one persistent challenge: the lack of a reliable source of clean and safe water. Every day, families traveled long distances to collect water from unsafe sources, turning a basic necessity into a daily struggle that affected their health, livelihoods, and quality of life.

Determined to change their situation, the community partnered with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan–Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS). Guided by the Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach, residents identified the renovation of a Level III Water System as their priority project and took the lead in transforming a long-standing problem into a sustainable community solution.

Building a Solution Together

The project was more than the construction of a water system—it became a demonstration of what a community can accomplish when people work toward a common goal. Residents participated in every stage of implementation, from identifying the problem and planning the project to managing resources, monitoring progress, and contributing their time and labor. Transparency, accountability, and participation became the foundation of every decision.

The journey was not without challenges. The mountainous terrain, limited resources, and logistical constraints tested the commitment of volunteers and community leaders. Yet these obstacles strengthened, rather than weakened, the community’s resolve. United by the shared experience of living without clean water, they remained committed until the project was successfully completed.

More Than Clean Water

The completion of the Level III Water System transformed daily life in Sitio Rayusan. Families gained access to safe and potable water directly in their homes, significantly reducing the time spent collecting water from distant sources. Improved access to clean water also strengthened sanitation practices, promoted better health, and allowed residents to devote more time to their families, livelihoods, and other productive activities.

More importantly, the project strengthened the community’s confidence in its own ability to create lasting change. Through KALAHI-CIDSS, residents discovered that sustainable development is not simply about building infrastructure—it is about empowering communities to identify their own priorities, make collective decisions, and take ownership of their future.

Sustaining the Lifeline

To ensure the long-term sustainability of the project, the community organized the Barangay Armado Water System Association (BAWASA), which now manages, operates, and maintains the water system. Twice each year, members come together through bayanihan activities to inspect pipelines, clear vegetation, repair leaks, and ensure that the system continues to serve every household.

Despite facing financial and operational challenges during its early years, BAWASA remained committed to protecting the community’s investment. With continued mentoring and technical assistance from DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS, the association strengthened its management systems and organizational capacity, proving that community empowerment extends well beyond project completion.

“Tubig ng Buhay”

For Barangay Armado Water System Association (BAWASA) President Rommel Quinones, the project represents more than improved infrastructure.

“Malaki po ang naitulong ng proyekto sa amin. Dati po ay hirap kami sa pagkuha ng tubig, pero ngayon ay may maayos na kaming suplay sa aming bahay. Malaking ginhawa po ito sa aming pang-araw-araw na buhay kaya ito ay tunay naming tinatawag na ‘tubig ng buhay’ ng Barangay Armado.”
—Rommel Quinones, President, Barangay Armado Water System Association (BAWASA)

His words reflect the experience of the entire community. What was once a daily burden has become a lasting symbol of hope, resilience, and collective action.

A Community Empowered

The story of Sitio Rayusan demonstrates that the true strength of KALAHI-CIDSS lies not only in the infrastructure it helps build but in the communities it empowers. By placing people at the center of development, the program enables residents to become planners, implementers, decision-makers, and stewards of projects that improve their lives.

Today, every drop of clean water flowing through Barangay Armado stands as a testament to what can be achieved through unity, shared responsibility, and community-driven development. Once defined by water scarcity, Sitio Rayusan now serves as a model of how empowered communities can create lasting and sustainable change.