Capitol to Hold Water Summit

Amid reports of decreasing water supply due to mild El Niño, the Cebu Provincial Government will host a Water Summit this May.

Governor Hilario Davide III met with his department heads last April 28 to discuss their preparation for the summit.

A composite team is formed to locate the areas experiencing water problem two weeks before the summit.

Those who were present were Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENRO) Chief Atty. Czareem Joseph Estella, Veterinarian Dr. Mary Rose Vincoy, and Officer-in-Charge Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Roldan Saragena.

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Chief Baltazar Tribunalo Jr. who was not present, will head the team.

The suggestion to hold this event came from Vice Governor Agnes Magpale who received reports from the barangays that water sources, including wells, are drying up.

“I directed the creation of a composite team to do some mapping of the areas where there is problem of water supply,” said the governor in a press conference.

The mapping will be presented to the summit participants, including the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pag-asa), water concessionaires, local chief executives, city/municipal agriculturist, and concerned government agencies.

After hearing the issues and concerns from the participants, Saragena said they might be able to come up with plans and actions.

Saragena and Estella are part of the team to do mapping.

Pag-asa forecasted the El Niño to persist until late this year. However, this does not mean that there will be no rain or storm coming in during that span.

www.cebu.gov.ph