Water conservation program pushed

CEBU, Philippines - A Cebu City Councilor is pushing for an ordinance establishing water conservation programs in the city pursuant to the directive of the Department of Interior and Local Government-7.

Councilor Noel Eleuterio Wenceslao said there is a need to adopt and establish measures to raise awareness on water consumption owing to the water shortage experienced by the city in the past due to El Niño phenomenon.

“Cebu City, like other local government units, is experiencing a shortage of water, whether domestic, agricultural and industrial water supply. The Department of Interior and Local Government has encouraged the local government units to cause the enactment of an ordinance establishing guidelines on water conservation,” he said.

Acknowledging the importance of water, Wenceslao said there is a need for the city to intervene actively in improving the management of water resources.

Section 4 of the proposed measure provides the creation of water conservation committee to ensure the proper implementation of possible programs geared towards the protection, conservation, and preservation of all water sources of the city.

The committee will be composed of the following; city mayor as chairman, the members include the chairmen of the committees on environment and on health and sanitation of the City Council, Cebu City Planning and Development Officer, Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Officer, Cebu City Health Officer, and representative from two environmental groups dealing with water resources, among others.

Among the possible programs that will be implemented are; conducting barangay-based public education and information programs to disseminate the importance of water; proposing legislation on the regulation of requirements for water conservation in residential, sanitation, and water conservation laws; promoting the use of rainwater harvesting facilities in all barangays; installing water saving devices like water aerators specifically at the household environmental organizations; integrating of lectures on water conservations and water demand management concepts in schools.

Further programs identified are; adopting technologies that would promote water conserving gardens, grey water reuse in irrigation; monitoring the safety and portability of all local water resources; cleaning up, rehabilitating, and restoring the rivers, creeks, and other tributaries and water resources.

“The WaterCom shall formulate a five-year water efficiency and public information action plan that shall embody all the water conservation programs that may be determined by the same,” read the proposed measure.

An initial amount of P2 million will be appropriated for the implementation of the ordinance.

Wenceslao said the city will coordinate with the neighboring cities for a more comprehensive and collaborative solution to water supply and conservation problems. — (FREEMAN)