Davide Activates Water Resource Authority

The long dry spell is not only destroying thousands worth of crops but also bringing the water supply in the province down to alarming levels.

In response, Governor Hilario Davide III activated the PB Ordinance 2006-12 known as the Provincial Water Resources Authority Ordinance of Cebu, which is to perform duties and functions related to the appropriation, development and utilization of water resource in the province.

Davide constitutes the Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016), establishing a committee that is vital for the mobilization of the ordinance.

The committee is chaired by Davide while Engr. Edgar Sibonga sits as the executive director and Engr. Sayade Anne Alcoseba as the secretary.

Members of the committee are the chairpersons of Provincial Board committees on environment; planning and development; trade and industry; and public works and highways.

Members are the presidents of the League of the Municipalities of the Philippines-Cebu Chapter,and Association of Barangay Captains and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Atty. Chad Estella.

Other members from the non-government sector are Fr. Margareto Alingasa, SVD, of Cebu Uniting for Sustainable Water (CUSW), Melanie Ng, president of Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Anecito Carillo, chief executive officer of Central Federation of Water Services and Sanitation.

Meanwhile, a technical working group was also created to assist the Provincial Water Resources Authority (PWRA) in drafting the Water Code.

The group is also tasked to collect, obtain, and review information, studies and research to serve as inputs for the preparation and formulation of the Water Code for the province of Cebu.

The technical working group is composed of government offices and non-government organizations.

The Cebu Provincial Government provided the amount of P5 million as the initial appropriation for the operation of the Provincial Water Resources Authority (PWRA) and for the preparation of the Water Code.

By Cris Lanie Delos Reyes

www.cebu.gov.ph