PDC Sees Right Time to Activate Water Body

Amidst reports of diminishing water sources, the Cebu Provincial Development Council (PDC) has endorsed to activate the Provincial Water Resources Authority

Provincial Board (PB) Member Thadeo Ouano, chair of the PB committee on environment, said the water body has not been convened since its creation in 2006.

Ouano talked about the water authority when asked by the media in the Kapistorya forum hosted by the Provincial Information Office last May 22.

The matter was also brought by the Mag-uugmad Foundation Inc., chair of the PDC sectoral committee on environment, in their recent sectoral meeting at the Capitol.

Earlier, Mag-uugmad together with other related non-government organizations met with Ouano at his office on the same issue.

Cathy Ruiz, Kaabag sa Sugbo coordinator, said they wanted to review the Provincial Water Resources Authority Ordinance and propose some amendments.“We should not focus only on regulation and distribution but regeneration of water and the provision of water catchment areas,” she stated.

The Provincial Ordinance No. 2006-12 or the Provincial Water Resources Ordinance of Cebu was framed in 2006 by then board member Victor Maambong.

Last April 20, in a meeting with members of Cebu Uniting for Sustainable Water (CUSW), Governor Hilario P. Davide III stated that he will review the ordinance and appoint new members of the water authority.

The meeting with CUSW was held subsequent to the presentation of Japan International Cooperation Agency’s report, which recommended for the construction of Php 5 billion Mananga II dam.

The national government, through the Department of Public Works and Highways, expressed interest to provide the initial funding for the dam.But DPWH Secretary Singson said that there should be a scheme where the national government can recover the expenses.

Gov. Davide said he will convene the water authority and have them handle these related issues. He claimed that the Mananga II Dam could be the most important project for Cebu in 2016.

CUSW is interested in helping fast track the documentary requirements for the project for inclusion in the 2016 General Appropriations Act.

www.cebu.gov.ph