The problem of fixing after-the-meter water leaks among Dumaguete households may now be better addressed with the recent commissioning of barangay plumbers. Metro Dumaguete Water Chief Operating Officer David Berba said 48 barangay plumbers, who now belong to the “Kaubang Tubero sa Barangay,” successfully completed their training last week and are now spread out in the City’s 30 barangays. 

MDW receives at least 20 complaints a day regarding leaking pipes that occur after the meter. These leaks are the responsibility of the consumer.

The training, conducted by the Technical Skills Development Authority, MDW and the Dumaguete City Water District, taught the plumbers new techniques in detecting and fixing leaks that often result in high water bills among Dumaguete water consumers. Berba asked the plumbers to use quality materials and announced that MDW will be providing the 30 barangays tools to help the barangay plumbers in doing the repairs.

DCWD GM Eric Diaz welcomed the new plumbers as DCWD makes it part of their mission to continue informing and enabling barangay plumbers to help in reducing water losses. “We have been training barangay plumbers several years back and so all the support from our new partners are very much welcome,” he said.

Director Joel Villagracia, Provincial Director of TESDA Negros Oriental, also said the Kauban’g Tubero sa Barangay Program aligns with the government’s call to be more productive and help in the country’s economic development. He also promised to work together with DCWD and MDW to formalize a plumber training course for the Province of Negros Oriental through the establishment of an assessment center for the plumbing course. Villagracia assured the plumbers that they would be first in line to avail of scholarships should this be approved by the national office.

The Association of Barangay Councils was tasked to nominate the candidates for this training based on the criteria set for the program, while DCWD, MDW, and TESDA crafted the program. The barangay plumber graduates are now equipped with basic techniques for repairing leaks after the meter.