NAWASA Water Tank

NAWASA Water Tank

The structure which now houses Bayambang’s Municipal Public Library was once a towering NAWASA water tank.

According to the Bayambang Water District, the structure was built in 1963 on the right side of the Municipal Hall compound during the administration of Mayor Jaime P. Junio, and served as the office of the Bayambang Waterworks and Sewerage System.

It also functioned as the town’s siren—sounding at seven in the morning and again at six in the evening.

When the six o’clock siren echoed across Bayambang’s Poblacion area, residents would pause to pray the Angelus, whether at home or outside.

Families would gather before their household altars, kneeling in quiet devotion. After the prayer, children would respectfully place the hands of all their elders on the forehead, a traditional gesture of giving respect called panagpinsiw.

Those who happened to be walking when the siren sounded would momentarily stop, observing the prayer wherever they were.

The siren also served as a warning call in times when the Agno River breached the dike, threatening inundation.

Following the powerful earthquake of July 16, 1990, the structure was reduced to two stories to ensure public safety.

Then, during the administration of former Mayor Cezar Quiambao, the Bayambang Municipal Library was officially relocated to this site on January 18, 2018, from its former location within the Municipal Hall. (RSO)