Annually an estimated 5 million people worldwide, largely children die due to water borne diseases- 10 times the number killed in wars. This is caused mainly by unsanitary and contaminated water sources and lack of fresh water, not to mention unhealthy living conditions. This is how fatal dirty water can be.
They used to be threatened by this, before Operation Blessing stepped in providing the residents of Bayambang, Pangasinan clean water like they've never had before.

"It was just last year that my two kids were stricken with cholera and I just knew that it was the contaminated water that we were drinking that caused it. I have been praying since then that God would bless our community with a well. Praise God for He surely is faithful!" these were the joyful remarks of nanay Gloria Esteban, one of 1,700 grateful residents of Bayambang blessed with the wells.

The Predicament
OB installed 10 deep wells among the four poverty stricken barangays of Bayambang, namely: Manambong Parte, San Gabriel 2, Hermosa and Warding. Remotely located amidst dirt roads and grasslands, these areas hardly have access to clean and safe drinking water. The most that they have are shallow, battered wells that more often than not supply residents with foul-smelling and cloudy water, obviously not fit for human consumption. But much to their dislike, residents are often left with no choice but to make use of this water, commonly resulting to water borne diseases like cholera and typhoid among others.

"Most of us in this community just ignore the stale odor of the water that we drink, but we have been hoping for a well where we could fetch potable water," recounts Letty Ramos, one of the residents.

Another big problem that affects water sanitation and accessibility in these areas is the flood which is a regular ordeal among residents. Every year when a typhoon hits Bayambang, life seems to cease, people are confined inside their homes, no crops to plant, no land to till and no place to go. Until the flood subsides residents have no access to water since their wells remain submerged under flood. Some would be lucky to have stored up some water, the others would paddle their boats- if they had one- some 500 meters to fetch water while the others would just have to wait until the flood subsides which sometimes take about a month. During this time clean water becomes one of the most important possessions a family can own.
"As one of the leaders of this barangay, how I wish that we could provide a source of potable water to all our people… but we don't have the funds," explains Dante, barangay captain of Hermosa.

Waiting patiently without choice the residents are hopeful that the flood would subside sooner so that they can once again pick up what was left and get on with their lives.

The Answer
The minute OB set foot on Bayambang Pangasinan bringing with them the good news of their well installation projects; the residents could not hide their joy to finally have clean water within their reach.
"We thought this was just another promise like those made to us by politicians who profess they want to help us. You did not promise a word to us but your actions spoke well of your love and concern. Thanks be to God because He really knows how much we need these wells! Thanks to all of you!" shares Feliciano Junio, barangay captain of Manambong Parte.
Today, these four barangays of Bayambang, Pangasinan have ten new deep wells that serve nothing but fresh, clean and safe to drink water. The wells are positioned high enough to serve useful even during floods and ensure the residents of clean water come rain or shine. Each well was also dug deep under ground to make sure it supplied mud free and odor free water to the residents.
"I thought nobody really cares about our community, but I just praise God because you really do care about us especially our children. Thanks for this well!" shares Aurea Donato one of the residents.