TACLOBAN CITY – More than 8,400 residents across eight rural villages will benefit from improved access to safe and reliable water with the near completion of the P114 million World Bank-funded Barangay Water System Development Project in Baybay City, Leyte.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) 8 (Eastern Visayas) here reported on Tuesday that the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) and the local government unit of Baybay City completed the pre-final inspection of the project.
The new water system, which spans the villages of Plaridel, Maslug, Bitanhuan, Maitum, Punta, Jaena, Sabang, and Palhi, is designed to directly benefit 2,266 households, equivalent to approximately 8,492 individuals.
Among the beneficiaries are 1,922 farmers and 476 fisherfolk, highlighting the project’s significant impact on rural livelihoods and agricultural productivity.
Inspection teams from PRDP, Baybay City government, and contractor RJIR Enterprises Corp. evaluated the project’s infrastructure, confirming that major structures were completed according to design. Minor finishing works were identified and included in the inspection for immediate correction before final turnover.
“The Level II potable water system features an intake box, four reservoirs, a multi-media filtration system, and more than 48 km. of pipeline connected to 438 communal tap stands,” the DA-8 stated.
The project is funded through a partnership among the World Bank, the national government, and the Baybay City local government.
As of October, the project has reached 99.7 percent physical completion, exceeding its 97 percent target schedule, while financial accomplishment stands at 91.89 percent.
Once fully operational, the water system is expected to strengthen public health, boost productivity, and enhance quality of life across the beneficiary barangays.
The PRDP emphasized that the successful pre-final inspection underscores its commitment to transparency, accountability, and delivery of high-impact rural infrastructure.
The PRDP is a six-year nationwide project of the DA aimed at modernizing the fisheries and agriculture sectors.
