Standing prominently on elevated ground in Barangay Maganda, the Nawasa Heritage Tower (commonly spelled NAWASA) is one of Lamitan City’s most recognizable historical structures. More than just a concrete edifice, the tower represents the evolution of public utilities, governance transitions, and urban development in Basilan. Today, it functions both as a reminder of the city’s early water infrastructure and as a cultural landmark that reflects Lamitan’s journey from a developing municipality to a modern city.

Construction of Nawasa Heritage Tower and its Original Purpose

The tower was originally constructed in 1963 during the period when water systems in many Philippine towns were managed by the National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority (NAWASA)—the precursor of today’s Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and Local Water Utilities Administration – The Lawphil Project.