BACOLOD CITY – The Negros Occidental provincial government has formalized an engagement with the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center for the implementation and development of water supply projects in the province.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and PPP Center Executive Director Ferdinand Pecson signed a memorandum of agreement outlining the commitment of both parties to the partnership during the Provincial Water Summit held at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City on Thursday.
“(T)he PPP Center will provide us with technical assistance if there are private investors willing to invest here in the province. Especially bulkwater supply, it is not cheap,” Lacson said.
The governor pointed out that the water security of Negros Occidental is now “at a critical point” because of rapid population growth, urbanization, and water demand for agriculture, which is further aggravated by water pollution, water-borne diseases, and destruction of watersheds.
He noted that the province’s groundwater availability is only at 8 percent thus, there is an urgent need to utilize other water sources, including surface water resources, which have 92 percent availability.
This year’s summit is an offshoot of the first meeting held two years ago, which initially discussed the pressing issues of water security and the proposed solutions to provide potable and affordable water for the people of Negros Occidental.
The presentations included the highlights of the 2020 Negros Water Summit; baseline data and the provincial integrated water security framework and planning process; watershed hydrologic studies result; and highlights of the proposed integrated water security plan.
Also discussed were financing sources and innovative financing schemes as well as surface bulk water supply and septage management services.
“This summit aims to be a venue for the deliberation of strategies and innovations. As we seek to utilize our surface waters to preserve and restore our remaining measly groundwater, we must also consciously and purposefully endeavor to restore our forests and manage our watersheds,” Lacson said.
He stressed that given the enormity of the concern, the work necessitates serious and concerted efforts of all sectors.
“I call on the active involvement of our local governments and all stakeholders. There are so many ways that we can preserve water, let us bear in mind that our individual efforts can add up and has the capacity to change the course of the certain decline of our water resources,” the governor said.
Lacson’s call was met with a pledge of commitment and support from stakeholders.
Among the presenters were representatives from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the partner of the provincial government in the Safe Water project that aims to further increase access to resilient water supply, improve water resource management, and strengthen water sector governance in the province. (PNA)
