For years, water was more than a daily necessity for the people of Barangay Mabini in Cagdianao, Dinagat Islands, it was a daily struggle.

Every morning began with a race against time. Families crossed to distant water sources, carried heavy buckets home, and carefully rationed every drop for drinking, bathing, washing clothes, and other household needs. During the dry season, the challenge became even greater as water sources dwindled, forcing residents to endure long waits and exhausting trips just to secure enough water for the day.

For teachers and residents like Gladece Damayan, the burden was felt even before the school day began.

“Before, we would arrive at school about 30 minutes late because we still had to cross just to bathe and fetch water,” she recalled.

Today, that story has changed.

As the Mabini Potable Water System Association (MAPWASA) was rehabilitated through the Project LAWA at BINHI (Local Adaptation to Water Access and Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga, households in Barangay Mabini now enjoy access to a safe and reliable water supply.

“We are truly grateful that MAPWASA reached our community because it has greatly helped us. Even if we have to pay for the water, we’re thankful because it’s here. We can now experience having unlimited water in our household,” Damayan shared.

For many families, the rehabilitation of the water system has transformed simple routines that were once difficult and time-consuming.

Partner beneficiary Ronnie Damayan described how access to running water has changed everyday life.

“Before, we had to bathe using a pail because we didn’t have running water. We carried water in buckets for bathing and even for flushing the toilet. Now, we simply turn on the tap or use a hose. The difference is huge,” he said.

Having water readily available means families now spend less time fetching water and more time attending to work, school, and other responsibilities. Daily chores such as washing clothes, cooking, and cleaning have become easier, while access to safe water has also improved sanitation and overall quality of life.

Ronnie expressed his gratitude to everyone who made the project possible.

“Our lives are much easier now. We have water for drinking, washing clothes, and our everyday needs. We are sincerely grateful to everyone who helped us through Project LAWA. Thank you very much for everything you’ve done for our [community].”

The transformation of Barangay Mabini was made possible through the collective efforts of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga, its Project LAWA at BINHI partner beneficiaries, the Barangay Officials of Mabini, and the leadership of the local government unit of Cagdianao.

Barangay Captain Hon. Cesar Joy Lipao shared that a sustainable water system had long been a dream for the community.

“We have long dreamed of having a sustainable water supply that would not run dry. When Project LAWA came, our water supply became sustainable even during extreme heat. Before and during El Niño, we really struggled to get water. This project has been a help to our community,” he said.

The rehabilitation of MAPWASA stands as a result of what can be achieved when communities, local leaders, and government agencies work together toward a common goal.

Through Project LAWA at BINHI, DSWD Field Office Caraga continues to address pressing issues of food and water insecurity, ensuring that vulnerable communities are not only able to cope with today’s challenges but are also equipped with sustainable solutions for the future.

For many, clean water is just a turn of the faucet away—something so routine it is rarely given a second thought. But for the families of Barangay Mabini, it was once a daily struggle and a simple comfort they could only hope for.