Samal Water District holds Water Service Providers Forum

ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL- The Samal Water District here held its first Water Service Providers Forum in celebration of World Water Day at the ABC Function Hall, New City Hall Site, Penaplata, Samal District on March 30.

“Water and Sustainable Development” is the World Water Day Celebration theme initiated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in cooperation with the local Water Utilities Administration  (LWUA) in partnership with the Local government and World Wildlife Fund for Nature.

The gathering aimed to increase  awareness of participants on the water situation in their respective area and  the whole island and also considering the balance between water supplies and consumers demand. The activity also aimed to advocate long term planning on water to ensure its sustainability and as well addressing the challenges on the impact of climate change.

“This is our first to gather the water distributors and water stakeholders, it is an opportunity for us to hear and raise problems concerning the situation of water source in every area and how to address these challenges. Through this,  we can make a plan or resolve  problems that would also fit to the local government programs”, Samal Water District General Manager Mr Antonio Gerardo C. Orlanes said.

The participants mostly from Barangay Water System Association (BAWASA), water providers and stakeholders underwent a workshop and discussed common difficulties and problems encountered related to water as well as their expectation from other agencies, water services and local government in resolving the problems.

During the forum, the common problems raised were the need for technical and financial assistance, technical training for BAWASAs and private water providers’ plumbers to gain competence in handling repairs and maintenance of the water systems or reservoir.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) representative and Geologist Environmental Consultant Mr. Emmanuel S. Bate shared the study on the conducted Assessment on the Vulnerability of the Island Garden City of Samal including Talicud Island to geologic hazards and climate change.

The WWF projects assisted the local government in identifying the island’s water resources like the surface water, ground water, well and spring. Mr. Bate also stressed the necessity of  water resources management, sustainable development and public health protection to a safe water supply aside from their effort of extending technical assistance to the local government.

Mr. Mario Pacaldo, City Planning Officer presented the city’s profile, the water resources, the current and the projected water consumption and the main source of drinking water based on the digitized maps and other geographic information system (GIS) maps.

 “Water is necessity to life. Through this activity we can create a link, the Water District, Barangay Water System Association (BAWASA), private water providers together with the local government in formulating a plan protecting our water resources.” Mr. Noel T. Uy, Samal Water District Chairman said.

The local government continuously give support to the local water sector towards advancing the environmental awareness and for sustainable management on the city’s water resources capacity and its emerging challenges. (Emma Samal Info.)