The Maisog Ram Pump Project

of
Coca-Cola Foundation, Inc., Earth Day Network Phils., Inc,
AID Foundation, Inc.
TERMINAL REPORT
by Yoying Pimentel
Maisog Watershed initiative, Inc.

I. Introduction of the Project Site and the Community:

Maisog Watershed Initiative, Inc. (MWII) is a non-governmental organization
(NGO) that aspires to reduce poverty thru knowledge transfer and capacity
building programs with the aim to improve the value and quality of livelihoods
in the rural areas of the Philippines thru food production, agro-forestry, organic
farming, zero waste management, biodiversity, alternative energy, education
and eco-tourism through collaborative efforts with government and the private
sector. Its main program is the Maisog Model Township Development Program.
Barangay Maisog, where MWII operates, is one of the 12 barangays of San
Lorenzo Ruiz, Camarines Norte. The area is located at the southern part of the
province and bounded on the eastern part by the municipalities of Basud and
Daet. On the west, it is bounded partly by San Vicente and Labo, Camarines
Norte and by Lupi and Del Gallego in the neighboring province of Camarines
Sur. On the north it is bounded by Daet. It lies between latitude 135600/
140600 and longitude 1224700/1225700.
Barangay Maisog has a total land area of 2,495 hectares, half is primary and
secondary forest; half is agricultural lands. It is bounded by the Maisog River on
the north and Matacong River on the south which changes its name to
Mampurog river as it flows east onto Daet River, where Maisog and Mananap
Rivers also meet.
Barangay Maisog is a watershed and part of the endangered Abasig-MatogdonMananap Natural Biotic Area from where water is derived by San Lorenzo Ruiz
and Camarines Norte Water District for distribution to 7 out of 12 municipalities
in Camarines Norte. About 125,000 people directly secure potable water from
springs fed by the watershed and Mampurog River whose headwater comes
from the MAISOG SPRINGS.
There are 71 households living peacefully and harmoniously in Barangay
Maisog, a community of 350 inhabitants, about 200 are children. The main
livelihood is copra production and Formosa Pineapple growing. Some resort to
cutting trees for charcoal for which MWII has been finding and implementing
alternatives.
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Although Maisog is the source of Camarines Nortes potable water, Maisog

itself is, ironically, not served from its piped water system. Only the lower portion
of the community has access to piped water served by San Lorenzo Water System
and service is available only at midnight to 4am. Some water supply had been cut
due to the inability of households to pay for water at the minimum rate of P75/
month.
We lost 2 hectares of experimental upland rice when El Nio surprised Maisog for
the first time in Feb. 2010. To water our rice terraces and vegetable gardens, we
had to fetch water from Panudan Creek, approximately 35 meters below at a 45
slope and up again. The small ram pump that the children of Maisog hurriedly
set up under the supervision of volunteer Engineer Rodel de Guzman in May
2010, unfortunately could not save our agriculture. Without the help of our LGUs,
our ram pump project was washed away by heavy rains in August, 3 months
after its intallation.

II. The Coming of the Agos Ram Pump Project:

Earth Day Network Philippines, Inc. (EDNPI) in partnership with Coca-Cola
Foundation (CCF) and Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation, Inc (AIDFI)
launched the Agos Ram Pump Project Philippines in October 2011. It is a
nationwide environmental program to install 100 ram pumps to deserving
communities. The partnership endeavors to provide upland communities with
accessible and reliable community water system using the hydraulic ram pumps
and ferrocement storage tank.
In July 2013, MWII sent in Maisogs application for the Grant.
In October 2013, representatives of EDNPI arrived in Maisog to verify her
worthiness as recipient of the grant.
EDNPI serves as the Project Manager tasked with identifying and screening
communities. In December 2013, we were informed by Ms. Charmaine Alvarez
that Maisog made it to the shortlist because of its peoples environmental
awareness and climate change adaptations and cleanliness of the village.
On January 14, 2014, Directors of EDNPI arrived Maisog received by 60 bene-iciaries
including the Municipal Vice Mayor, 2 kagawad ng Sanguniang Bayan, members of the of-ice of
the MPO, 6 Barangay kagawads and Barangay Captain Ernesto T. Ramores at the MWII
Environmental Learning Center. After an hour of discussion and understanding the project
which included the counterpart of Barangay Maisog, EDNPI Director Binggirl Clemente
signiBied the approval of at least P1.5M grant for the Agos Ram Pump Project that
includes a 6.2 meter cylindrical tank x 2 meter (height) x .5m thickness.

As requirement the Maisog community had to do the following and submit

documentations by Jan. 21, 2014:
1. Create the MWII-Maisog Water Association (MWII-MWA), Done Jan. 16, 2014
2. Accreditation of the water association with LGU. Done Feb. 3, 2014
3. Accomplish the MOA between EDNPI @ MWII-MWA, Done, our copy was not returned
4. Accomplish Community Development Worker Contract of Service, Done, pls. give us copy
5. Accomplish Right To Use and/or Right of Way Agreements, Done, pls. give us copy.
The MWII-Maisog Water Association was created on Jan. 16, 2014 to receive
the ram pump system, a grant worth at least P1.5M which is also CCFs
contribution to environmental protection and conservation particularly in the area
of water management. We were informed that the ram pump installation shall be
carried out by AIDFI which has been recognized for its hydraulic technology by
different organizations such as the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2011.
The objective of the MWII-Maisog Water Association is to build their capacity to
manage the water system, install their community based ecological waste
management system as well as other livelihood projects such as organic farming,
upcycling waste materials, tree planting, etc.
On May 24, 2014, the Environmental Team of the Agos Ram Pump Project
arrived. It was composed of Binggirl Clemente, Checcs Osmea-Orbida, and Jet
Orbida for the 2-day crash course seminars and workshops on Recycling waste,
Organic Farming/Organic Fertilizers, Learning the Value of Water, KupingKupin.

III. Process of Installation:

1. Confirm commitment of 2 ram pump technicians to be trained.
2. Complete material list.
3. Prepare housing for Agos technicians.
4. Organize community laborers and volunteers for hauling of equipment and
materials, clearing of the sites, installation and pipe laying works of the ram
pump.

IV. Issues and Problems Encountered During Implementation

Process:
1. Although MWII had prioritized the tap stand at the Maisog Elementary School,
the right-of-way within the School grounds was not easy to attain due to red
tape. The tap stand for the school was eventually dropped and placed closest to
its perimeter.
2. Completing the material list was a challenge. Non-availability of some
materials were sourced and freighted from Naga City, Camarines Sur and Metro
Manila.
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3. Some of the Agos Ram Pump projects in several other sites were delayed,
adding to the delay of the Maisog Ram Pump Project start date.
4. The countless, unexpected huge boulders along the pipelines contributed to
the delay. Several diversions were made.
5. Finally, the need for the Agos engineers to shuttle back and forth several
unfinished projects, inclusive of other issues mentioned above, caused the
extension of the duration of the entire project from targeted 50 days to 83
days and its conveyance on the 90th day.
6. It also didnt help that sourcing and delivery of mesh wires delayed the work
at the ram pump areas causing more delays while waiting for the curing period.
7. Then, there was the issue of the new purok to which 2 tap stands had been
allocated - that the elevation might be higher than than the reservoir. The only
way to find out was to test the faucets, when the installation was completed
and operational.

V. Important Dates:
Agos Technical Orientation - June 15, 2014, with Donald Pachan
Agos Day 1 - June 16, 2014, Digging and Preparation of Agos Bodega
7 men reported on time to start the days work. Their job was to dig 1.5m depth X 1.5M
length and 1.5M width for the Catchment tank, plus 8.6M diagonal length x 1.5M depth,
avoiding the fruit trees, for the Ram Pump Feed line.
Agos Day 8 - June 23, 2014 - Start of Materials Delivery
Cement bags and truck from Bacolod carrying the heavy ram pump parts arrived!
Agos Day 12 - June 27, 2014 - Cleaning of Panudan Creek
The Agos engineers could not come on the designated Day 10; the workers who
needed guidance were asked to clear and clean the creek instead. The result was
enchanting.
Agos Day 14 - June 29, 2014 - The community gathers gravel and sand c/o Kapitan.
Agos Day 21 - July 6, 2014 - The Blue Water Pipes and Black Hoses were delivered
to Maisog in time for Bruce Chipalan, Ms. Charmaine Alvarez and technician Randy
Beltrans arrival.
Agos Day 22 - July 7, 2014 - Bruce Chipalan meticulously inspected the delivered
parts of the ram pump. Later, Ms. Charmaine repeated the inspection and upon
approval ordered the hauling of the materials into the safety of our bodega.
Agos Day 23 - July 8, 2014 - Digging, hauling of materials, clearing and staking of
the ferrocement tank continued under Randy Beltran.
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Agos Day 25 - July 10, 2014 - Wire Mesh Framing of the Catchment Tank started.
Agos Day 27 - LOVE Ladies join the workforce to replace absentee workers at ram
pump and dam areas.
Agos Day 29 - July 14, 2014 - Cementing of Catchment Tank, Preparations for
Ferrocement Tank, Finalizing Dam Design.
Agos Day 30 - July 15, 2014 - Typhoon Glenda blows off part of the Bodega trapal.
Workers saves the stacks of cement.
Agos Day 38 - July 23, 2014 - Framing of circumference of Ferrocement Tank
completed.
Agos Day 39 - July 24, 2014 - Our camera broke. The Dam was started.
Agos Day 48 - Aug 2, 2014 - The Top of Reservoir (Ferrocement tank) was started.
Agos Day 51 - Aug. 5, 2014 - Cha and Bruce arrived with Technicians C esar
Chipalan and Reynaldo Valdez. Activates the LOVE Ladies to cut delay. The Dam
had taken shape, nearing completion.
Agos Day 53 - Aug. 7, 2014 - The circumference of the ferrocement reservoir was
completed. Simultaneous work was going on at the reservoir, Dam finishing and
preparation of the pipes for the ram pump installation.
Agos Day 54 - Aug. 8, 2014 - The LOVE Ladies took on the digging for the 1.7km
distribution pipes to 9 tap stands while the men began to install the ram pump.
Agos Day 56 - Aug. 10, 2014 - The 1st ram pump is set for cementing.
Agos Day 58 - Aug. 12, 2014 - Blue pipe laying. More diversional diggings and
trimming of blue pipe to fit curving canals. Final touches on the Dam.
Agos Day 61 - Aug. 15, 2014 - Blue pipe is laid on the top portion of the catchment
tank.
Agos Day 63 - Aug. 17, 2014 - Some of the blue pipes were buried.
Agos Day 67 - Aug. 21, 2014 - The reservoir was painted by the Maisog kids led by
the Artists of the Agos Team.
Agos Day 77 - Aug. 31, 2014 - Tap Stand making and distribution line laying.
Agos Day 83 - Sept. 6, 2014 - THE WATER FLOWED FROM EVERY TAP STAND!!!!!

VI - CONVEYANCE DAY, SEPT. 16, 2014

I. The Programme: It is important to note that MWII left the village of Maisog, meaning
the Barangay Council and the LOVE Ladies and other members of the community, to their
own devices in all aspects of the preparation of this programme in order to measure their
gratitude for all work and sacrifices done to bring water closer to their home..
1.0 The Reception
The Village of Maisog was honored by the presence of:
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1. Ms. Monina Pacheco, Program Officer-Environment, CCFPI

2. Mr. Isagani Serrano, President, EDNPI
3. Mr. Ryan Vita, Executive Director, EDNPI
4. Beloved Marie Charmaine Alvarez, Luzon Project Manager, EDNPI-ARP
5. Staff, EDNPI-ARP

The VIPs were received and welcomed by:

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1. Barangay Captain Ernesto Ramores and members of his Council

2. Yolanda C. Pimentel, Founder of Maisog Watershed Initiative, Inc.
3. Ligaya G. Gollena, Vice President, Maisog Water Association
4. Some of the Members of Tusok Maisog Club (it was a school day).
5. Some members of the LOVE Gardeners
6. Maisog constituents
7. Vice Mayor Medina Villareal at mga Sanguniang Kagawad
8. Ms. Minette M. Alonso, Mr. Robert A. Singh and Ms. Anneth Rigon, (volunteers to Maisog Watershed Initiative., Inc.)
9. Revica V. Gueta, Admin Officer, MWII
10. Mr. Froilan C. Pimentel, Mr. Efren Teoxon, Ms. Aurora A. Pangan,
volunteers and supporters of MWII
11. MWA Ram Techs, Sabadito Bias and Cornelio Ang-og

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1.1 Visit to Ram Pump Site, 9am - Although we arrived 15 minutes before the schedule
the happiness exuded by the barrio folks were expressed is so much exchange of
pleasantries that we finally started the climb at 9:12am. The descent to the site and seeing
all the new contraptions on our land created more excitement and took another 20 minutes
to gather at the Dam where EDNPI-ARP Regional Project Manager Marie Charmaine
Alvarez waited patiently to make her speech. Mr. Ryan Vita, Executive Director of EDNPI
also reminded everyone of the importance of taking care of the environment. Questions
and answers were exchanged as the people of Maisog listened intently for another 20
minutes before we moved on to the catchment tank and the ram pumps.

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1.2 Opening of the First Water Up! - By the time we reached the first tap stand (at
the new purok where the technicians had feared it was higher than the Reservoir) the
faucet had already been opened by two children, aged 3 and a 10 month old, washing
their clothes and taking a bath at the same time. The story is that, a week before, the kids
mother left for employment in Manila. They were left to the care of their father who
happened to be one of our trained Ram Techs, Cornelio (Tata) Ang-og, who was busy
walking with us and listening to lectures along the way.
At first, it was a delightful sight
for Ms. Monina Pacheco,
Program Officer-Environment
of CCFI until the kids started
shivering prompting Ms.
Minette M. Alonso to quickly
help the kids wash up with the
tiny soap that they had brought
to wash their clothes. Not long
after, Tata arrived and carried
them off to dry up.

Had we not have that faucet, those

2 kids, aged 3 and a 10 month old,
would be at the creek, 40 meters
below without supervision.
THANK YOU, CCFI, EDNPI, AIDFI
for bringing our water closer to our
homes!
After, we proceeded to the next tap
stand that we installed just outside
the perimeter of the school to avoid
the red tape required.

Cutting the Ribbon at the Reservoir:

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5 minute walk to the main village called Core Shelter where there are 60 houses:

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III. Invocation and Panumpa:

TUSOK MAISOG

PANUNUMPA SA TUNGKULIN
BILANG TAGAPANGALAGA NG
KALIKASAN
AKO, BILANG KASAPI NG TUSOK MAISOG,
ISANG MAKAKALIKASANG SAMAHAN NG
MGA KABATAAN SA BARANGAY MAISOG,
BAYAN NG SAN LORENZO RUIZ, AY
TAIMTIM NA NANUNUNMPA NA
PANGANGALAGAAN KO ANG ATING
KALIKASAN.
1.AKO AY NANGANGAKO NA TUTULONG SA
PANGKALIKASANG PROGRAMA NG AMING
BARANGAY.
2.AKO AY NANGANGAKO NA
PANANATILIHING MALINIS ANG
KAPALIGIRAN NG BARANGAY MAISOG.
3.AKO AY NANGANGAKONG HINDI
MAGTATAPON NG BASURA SA ANO MANG
PAMPUBLIKONG LUGAR, SA KALSADA AT
LALONG LALO NA SA MGA ILOG NG
BARANGAY MAISOG.
4. AKO AY NANGANGAKO NA SISIMULAN KO SA AMING BAHAY ANG TAMANG PAGSASAAYOS NG
BASURA
5. AKO AY NANGANGAKO NA TUSUKIN AT ILALAGAY SA TAMANG LALAGYAN ANG ANUMANG
BASURANG MAKIKITA KO SA DAAN.
6. AKO AY NANGANGAKO NA TUTULONG SA PAGLUNSAD NG ISANG LINGUHANG PANGKALAHATANG
PAGLILINIS SA AMING BARANGAY.
7. AKO AY NANGANGAKO NA MAGTATANIM NG PUNO AT AALAGAN KO ITO HANGANG SA ITOY
LUMAKI.
8. AKO AY NANGANGAKO NA LALAHOK SA ANO MANG MAKAKALIKASANG GAWAIN O PAGKILOS SA
AMING BARANGAY O BAYAN MAN.
9. AKO AY NANGANGAKO NA TUTULONG SA PAGBUBUKAS NG DIWANG MAKAKALIKASAN SA
KAISIPAN NG AKING KAPWA KABATAAN.
10. AKO AY NANGANGAKO NA PATULOY NA IPAGLALABAN ANG KAGANDAHAN AT KAHALAGAHAN
NG ATING KALIKASAN.
11. AKO AY NANGANGAKO NA DADALHIN KO ANG LAHAT NG PRINSIPYONG ITO SAAN MAN AKO
MAPUNTA.
BILANG ISANG KABATAANG MAY PANANAGUTAN SA AMING BARANGAY AT KALIKASAN, BUONG
PUSO KONG GAGAMPANAN ANG LAHAT NG AKING SINUMPAAN SA HARAP NG AMING MGA
MAGULANG, PUNONG GURO, KABARANGAY AT INANG KALIKASAN. KASIHAN NAWA AKO NG ATING
PANGINOON.

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IV. Welcome Remarks, Ligaya Gollena, Vice President, Maisog Water

Association:
Welcome po Mayor Ramores,
Vice Mayor Villareal at sa
inyong mga Kagawad, sa
aming Model Community ng
Maisog.
Kami po ay nagpapasalamat
sa aming lider na si Ma'am
Yoying sa kanyang pag-laban
na maipanalo ang aming
barangay sa grant ng Agos
Ram Pump project.
Salamat po sa EDNPI, CocaCola at AIDFI, sa Agos Team
at kay Ma'am Cha. Kung wala
po ito, ay baka marami na ang madudulas at maaaksidente sa kakaigib ng tubig.
Bilang Bise Presidente po ng MWA ay gagampanan ko ko po ang mga responsibilidad na
naayon sa tamang pananaw at kagustuhan ng mga nakikinabang nito upang panitiliin ang
operasyon ng tubig at ang kalinisan nito. At para rin gabayan ang mga natalagang
teknisyan sa kanilang mga gawain sa tamang pamamaraan ng pag-alaga mula sa
pinagkukunan ng tubig hanggang sa maibigay ito sa mga tao. Sa mga panahong wala ang
aming president na si maam yoying ako ang tumatayong president upang gampanan ang
lahat ng mga responsibilidad upang mapangalagaan ng mabuti ito.Salamat po.

V. Rationale of the
Activity, Mr. Ryan Vita,
Executive Director,
EDNPI:
Congratulations Maisog,
dapat kayo ay #101,
nangunguna sa next
batch, ngunit dahil kayo
ay organisyado, kayo ay
naging #58, kabilang sa
unang batch!

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Messages:
Mr. Isagani Serrano, President, EDNPI :
Sundin lang nyo ang panumpa ng mga bata, magtatagumpay kayo

Ms. Monina Pacheco, Program Officer-Environment, CCFPI:

Dito lang ako nakakita ng isang pambatang samahang para sa
kalikasan. Ito rin ang pinakamalinis na Baranggay na napuntahan sa
buong Pilipinas!

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Ms. Yolanda C. Pimentel, Maisog Watershed Initiative, Inc. (MWII)

Founder and Acting President of Maisog Water Association:
Salamat sa mga Tusok
Maisog, LOVE Gardeners at sa
kanilang mga asawa. Kung
hindi kayo naniwala at nag
sakripisyo para itaguyod ang
mga proyecto ng Model
Township Development
Program, hindi tayo mananalo
sa kompetsyong Ram Pump
Project.
Salamat din po sa mga hindi pa
rin naniniwala, sana hwag na
lang po kaming paki-alaman,
makinabang na lang po kayo.
Salamat po.

VII. Marie Charmaine Alvarez, Luzon Project Manager, EDNPI-ARP :

Alagaan po nyo ang inyong mga bagong Ram Technicians.

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Turn-Over of Technicians Certificates, Tool Kit to

Sabadito Bading Bias and Cornelio Tata Ang-og

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VIII. Acceptance of Project by Barangay Captain Ernesto Ramores:

Malaking bagay po ang pagpaakyat ng tubig sa aming Barangay, kahit ang tubig
ay hindi pa pang-inumin. Kaya po kami sa Sanguniang Barangay ay gumagawa ng
ordinansa tungkol sa pag-aalaga ng Panudan Creek at mga kaparusahan ng
maling paggamit. Ito po ay kailangang ma-aprobahan sa araw ng pagtitipon ng
kabarangay sa Oktubre.

Acceptance of Project by Yolanda C. Pimentel as Founder of MWII:

The Ram Pump Project in Maisog is a huge triumph for MWII in its quest to
protect the forest. By bringing water closer to the people, their promise to help
protect our forest was renewed with great enthusiasm. For why would the people
of Maisog help produce water for 7 out 12 municipalities of Camarines Norte if
they, themselves, did not have water?

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IX. Testimonials:
Yolanda C. Pimentel, Acting President of the Maisog Water Association
and Founder of Partner Organization, Maisog Watershed Initiative, Inc.:
Nakita ko po ang hirap ng tao sa pag-iigib ng tubig, palusong at paakyat, karga ng bata,
matanda, babae at lalaki ang ibat ibang hugis at laki ng containers, araw araw, mula ng umaga
hanggang gabi. Yung masisipag ay lumulusong bago sumikat ang araw upang makakuha ng
mas malinis na tubig.
Ang mga bata ay nahuhuli sa eskwela dahit sa pagkawala ng tubig. Sila rin ay nilalagnat dahil
sa uhaw at UTI.
Ang mga halaman ay patay na, dagdag sa kagutuman at kahirapan.
Kaya ang Agos Ram Pump Project lang po ang aming naging pag-asa. Ang aming
pagpapasalamat ay walang katapusan tulad ng pag daloy ng tubig sa aming mga gripo.
Bilang isang namumuno dito sa Barangay Maisog, at Founder ng Maisog Watershed Initiative,
Inc. anf aking posisyon na pagka presidente ay temporary hanggang makuha ng mga mang
babarangay ang tamang pagpatakbo ng asosasyon.
Sana po kami ay matulungang makahanap ng ibang pundasyon na gawing mas malinis ang
aming tubig para mainom.

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Testimonial:
Amparo Bron, Resident of Maisog, Member of (P.O) LOVE Gardeners:
Magandang tanghali po sa inyong lahat lalong lalo na sa ating mga bisita sa Coke, sa EDNPI at

AIDFI sa aming leader na si maam Yoying, kay kapitan Ramores , mga kabaranggay magandang
umaga po.
Sa akin pong experience bilang manananim sa
MWII ay naranasan ko po ang sobrang hirap
magpatubo ng pananim kapag El Nino tyinatyagaan
ko po talagang mag igib umakyat sa mataas na
hagdan para madilig ang aking mga pananim kaya
sobrang tuwa po kami ng malaman naming
magpapatubig na si maam yoying.
Napakamalaking tulong po ito sa amin .
Kaya maraming salamat p okay maam yoying , kay
maam Cha, kay sir Bruce at kina Randy, Cezar at
Rey, Maraming maraming Salamat po sa Cocacola.
Mabuhay ang tubig.

Romeo Encinas, Kagawad, Dating

Laban sa MWII:
Magandang umaga po sa ating mga bisita, kay
maam Yoying,Vice-mayor Vina Villareal,kay
kapitan Ernesto Ramores at sa mga kapwa ko
kagawad at sa mga taga Maisog, Magandang
umaga po sa inyong lahat.
Isa po ako sa hindi naniniwala kay maam yoying,
akala ko isang pangako kasi paano ba pinapaakyat ang tubig na walang kuryente nuong lumabas
na po ang tubig laking paniwala po ako dahil sa
napakagandang teknilohiyang ito.
Kaya sobrang malaking tulong po sa amin ang patubig na ibigay ni maam yoying sa amin dito sa
maisog. Kaya nga po simula ngayon ay pinapangalagaan na po naming ang panudan creek para
sa malinis na tubig na maibigay sa amin ng agos Ram pump. Gumagawa na rin po kami ng aming
mga isusulong na ordinansa para sa batas ng panudan creek. Upang mapangalagaan at
panatilihing malinis ito.
Kaya po maraming salamat po dito sa patubig na ito ng Coca-cola,EDNPI at AIDFI lalong lalo na
kay maam yoying maraming salamat po.

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