It is said that water comprises ¾ of earth’s surface. How come in some areas, water seems so scarce? Thus, a need for a water system development to support the community arises. However, how will they be heard of geographical location and communication differences are the problems?

Comprising of 3,816 hectares of land, Barangay Palale is located within the mountainous part of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija. It is a home of cultural minorities from the 2 tribes of Igorots- Applai from Mountain Province, Bago from Ilocos, Ibaloi, Kankanaey and Ifugao, and from Dumagat tribes. Their primary sources of income are upland farming and gold mining. Barangay Palale is just one of the many forgone barangays in the Philippines in need of financial support towards community development.

All they have are bountiful prayers and mountains of faith.
But God is not blind or deaf.

He heard their prayers and sent angels in the form of human to be the messengers of good news.

Through the generosity of TEAR Fund New Zealand in cooperation with Alalay Sa Kaunlaran (ASKI), Incorporated, the potable water system was constructed in August 2008 and was recently inaugurated, October 3, 2008.

The inauguration was a success. Everyone in the community participated in the event. Tribal leaders begun the program with Kanyaw, a traditional Igorot ritual which entails saying prayers in their native tongue and slaughtering animals as an offering. Also, a pastoral blessing was done by Pastor Andy Baw-as of Pentecostal Church followed by an ecstatic welcome remarks from the Barangay Chairman, Hon. Mario Sib-at.

“Through this, the community will no longer have difficulty in water supply,” he proudly said.

“There are a lot of government organizations and NGOs who have been here, promises us this and that. However, none is set out. I can feel their insincerity. All they have are stakes. But not TEAR Fund, not ASKI. Your actions show your genuine mission. Through the efforts of Ms. Rhea, she has regained my trust with NGO. I saw the sincerity in your company’s action,” continued Sib-at.

ASKI Executive Director Mr. Rolando Victoria with the Board of Trustees Mrs. Aurora Mangalili and Mrs. Maria Calling led the ribbon cutting. However, no “ribbon” was cut. Indigenous materials such as wood vines ornamented with gumamelas, santans, and other native flowers and plants were used instead and a bolo to cut it.

The turn over ceremony was the highlight of the inauguration wherein the potable water system development document, ASKI Annual Report, and Gawaing Bahay books were given to the Barangay Council and tribal leaders as a sign of continuous involvement of ASKI in the community of Palale.

A celebration is not complete without entertainment. The residents performed two (2) of their traditional dances. One is a courtship dance where the women in ASKI team were encouraged to partake. The second was a festivity dance, which made all guests joined. A sumptuous lunch shared by everyone ended the inauguration ceremony.