Americans ease water supply in Mlang

Convenient water supply for Mlang, North Cotabato residents. Residents of Brgy. Dunguan in Mlang, North Cotabato no longer have to wait in long queues to fetch potable water for their daily needs. Through the partnership of the Municipal Government of Mlang and the United States Agency for International Development’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program, five shallow-lift hand pumps were constructed for the 2,227 inhabitants of the community. In addition to providing greater convenience the hand pumps should also reduce the incidence of water-borne diseases. By 2007, GEM, in partnership with local governments and cooperatives, will construct 800 small infrastructure projects such as footbridges, water systems, solar dryers, boat landings, trading centers, and bridge and road upgrades in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao. GEM is being implemented under the oversight of the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo). (GEM Program)