Gratitude is the best compliment!
Sometimes no matter how I tried to be more patient there will emit from my physical system the feeling and drive to be impatient, especially as regards unwanted circumstances, not of my choice, that affect our daily living. Water is life and when faucets are dried despite waterlogged reservoir because of continued rains the beauty of peaceful living also drains. So on December 1, 2017, I posted on Facebook my short grievance, accompanied by my remaining undrained decency and respect for the provider.
Surprisingly in a few minutes I heard a call from Surigao Metropolitan Water District (SMWD) personnel reporting that they have already checked the connection and asked if there was already water in our faucet. As we affirmed, they requested to report the matter to Chairman Manny Kong as they have been monitored of their action.
Just about the time when I finished my post expressing gratitude for the quick response of SMWD personnel, my attention was called by my son and as I went over our door, to my greatest surprise, there was Chairman Manny Kong standing right on our gate with a smile reminiscent of those college days when we were classmates. It was the first time that we personally met since the 1970’s, although we have recently had some short communication through the social media.
He purposely came to follow up the action of his men as regards my Facebook request for SMWD to help restore our water supply as there were unfinished laundries and other chores that required water which were left undone because of the unscheduled water interruption. He was with a SMWD Engineer overseeing the operations. They apprised me of their resolves and assured of continuous water supply. Although I have long since discovered that the problem was not about any other resolves than monitoring, I never attempted to argue to the kind of tipsy engineer as I do not want the Chairman to be embarrassed. For me it was enough that the water has been restored and I felt the real concern of SMWD through its chairman of the Board personally coming into our place just to check and assure us that he is always on call and at hand when public service becomes preeminent. I see no robe of hypocrisy; no sheer display of ostentations, but a crystal clear view of honest expressions of concern for the water users and humility in public service.
His presence is a reminder of his sincerity and integrity in public service. When I apologized for having robbed his precious family time, his prompt and humble response has always been “that is the call I am appointed to do.” Every time I told him that I am reluctant and uncomfortable dealing with him about my water concerns out of respect for his office and position, he would remind me that public service is a public trust therefore position title should be the last consideration. When public service becomes preeminent, call of duty should not slip second in priority.
The festive season is not yet over and rainy days are still on the run. I understand that while water will be overflowing in the reservoirs the accompanying fast accumulation of sediments suspended in the water pipes, due to strong water pressures from the source, result to siltation and eventual clogging and choking of the water flow. Regular flushing of these stored sediments may result to interruptions which is understandable. However, I hope that after this procedural flushing, SMWD personnel in-charge should monitor the affected water lines at the Canlanipa reservoir, as they had been doing before when one personnel was daily stationed right on the reservoir, and to never forget that there is a small pipe that supplies only three households approximately a hundred meters away directly connected to the reservoir. This connection, small as it is, is often overlooked and perhaps ignored, until we raise our grievance, which we never should have wanted to do as it sometimes becomes an irritant both to us users and the SMWD personnel.
It seems absurd that unscheduled water interruptions for these three households very seldom happen in the hot of summer when water is scarce but on rainy days when water is overflowing from the source.
I hope, therefore, that with the Chairman’s candid response and assurance, we will not have to experience as it was last Christmas and New Year 2016 when water came at midnight.
The Lord Jesus Christ whose birthday we will soon celebrate once taught, “For…I was thirsty and ye gave me drink.” When asked, “Lord, when saw we thee… thirsty, and gave thee drink?” He answered, “In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:35,37,40).
I express my deepest appreciation and most sincere gratitude to SMWD and Chairman Manuel Kong for his continued quick action to resolve even our trivial water problems.
