Tonight the 112 households in San Roman Village are doing something they’ve never been able to do – and that is access potable water. They have potable water tonight because this morning government and the Social Investment Fund inaugurated a new rudimentary water system in the village. The 20,000 gallon tank will service all 672 villagers. Minister of Local Government Gabriel Martinez says the lack of potable water had been linked to disease outbreaks.
Hon. Gabriel Martinez, Minister of Local Government
“Our Health Ministry has confirmed that the San Roman Rio Hondo community has a history of gastro-intestinal and water borne diseases. The effect of this, especially on the children of the community, can be far reaching as the state of their health determines how well they learn in school. The greatest benefit of this system to approximately 672 persons in 112 households will be a better quality of life. Good health and well being for our communities can be achieved only through a quality supply of water. Our health professionals in the Ministry of Health tell us that there is a connection between the quality of our water and a long healthy life.”
Hon. Gaspar Vega, Area Representative
“Gone are the days when you all had to depend on the two hand pumps that were in the village to obtain your water. You will not have to buy expensive water or water vats anymore to catch rain water as you used to do in the past. The water coming out of this system is potable which means that it is fit for drinking.”
The water system cost just over $420,000. $376,000 of it came from the government through the Social Investment Fund and the village provided $43,000.
