Thirty (30) participants from the four LGU beneficiaries composing the WATSAN teams also attended the orientation and planning workshop for the Baseline Research Component on the MDGF 1919 aimed at providing them appropriate  and relevant knowledge and skills on how to roll-out the baseline research component of the MDGF 1919 project. The orientation workshop was held from June 9-11, 2010 at Villa Caceres Hotel, Naga City.

The MDGF-1919 project (Enhancing Access to and Provision of Water Services with the Active Participation of the Poor) aims to help selected municipalities and local water service providers develop, operate and manage effectively their local water resource by improving efficiency and increasing their capability to provide quality potable water to the poor.

The program targeted 36 local government units and water service providers with a combined total of 122,000 households. These LGUs were chosen based on the criteria set by the program donor in consultation with national agencies tasked to manage the program. However, these 36 municipalities were required together with their respective provincial government to execute a Memorandum of Agreement with the DILG to formalize their intention to support the project. In Bicol, the municipalities of Siruma, Garchitorena, Basud and Capalonga are included in the 36 LGUs.  By the end of the program, the LGU beneficiaries should have developed and utilized their own WATSAN tool boxes, customer service codes, updated tariff-setting and regulation guidelines. — AO IV Ma. Grace Joy U. Tango