Water resource management board to be created

Fresh from a two-week working trip to the Netherlands, Mayor Tomas Osmeña yesterday said that the city and provincial governments have started discussions for the creation of the Cebu Water Resource Management Board.

This new body will be distinct from the present Metro Cebu Water District Board, and will have a legal section to handle matters for joint projects with other entities, as provided for in the local government code.

Osmeña said the MCWD board would handle the actual distribution of water to consumers while the new board will take care of water projects, including boundary disputes and watershed problems.

This new body would be composed of Osmeña, Governor Gwen Garcia, the MCWD board chairman, and a representative of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

None from non-government organizations will be included, said Osmeña, "because many NGOs have been using it for their livelihood programs. This is being investigated."

Osmeña said this joint program of the city and the province "will provide alternatives for private sector participation. Put in simple terms, we're bringing in money. For people who will invest on water projects here, we will assist them in making feasibility studies."

Osmeña also said that the water system in the Netherlands might be hard to replicate here the water resource problem in that country is not as severe as what we have here in Cebu.

Besides, the cost of water supply is not a problem for the Dutch people, he said. "Their water bill is a small part in their budget because they have much money."

The cost of water in the Netherlands is equivalent to at least P130 per cubic meter while here in Cebu, the P38 per cubic meter is too expensive to our consumers, he said. - Cristina C. Birondo