WATER, I mean clean, potable, sufficient and steady supply of water to all Filipinos, 24 hours a day, is a matter of life and death. It is as basic as having oxygen for everyone to survive on earth.
It is in this light that President Bongbong Marcos is taking concrete effort to confront and resolve this major issue, early in his six-year term, with environment-friendly surface water, as the major water source, in focus.
He recently issued EO 22 creating the Water Resources Management Office (WRMO) to integrate and harmonize government efforts that will manage the country’s water resources and ensure water supply for us, amid the threat of El Niño phenomenon, expected towards the year-end until mid-next year.
The new water body and all existing government agencies such as the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), MWSS, LWUA, LLDA and all the Water Districts in the country will be under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Per the EO, an undersecretary that the President will appoint soon will lead the WRMO. That is how PBBM looks and addresses the water supply situation nationwide as a major item of the nation’s interests, and supports the creation of a Department of Water Management.
Well, it’s very encouraging to see what seems to be the mindset of President Marcos and most of our senators and representatives in Congress. The administration is determined to create an agency or institution devoted to ensuring clean, potable and steady water supply, for all households and the various industries’ needs. Hence, the bill is now up for legislative deliberation and pretty soon, its approval.
Despite the viable efforts of the President and of our national officials to make sure Filipinos do not endure water scarceness, the exact opposite, however, is the norm in the countryside—in Bohol province, in particular. It makes me sad that there are LGU officials or local politicians who think and act in a diametrically opposite direction, against the objective of PBBM. In Bohol, it appears to the people that their choice is between water and rotten politics.
The matter of steady water supply in Bohol is the responsibility of its local officials, but former Governor Edgar Chatto didn’t do anything. Among other concerns relative to water, the tourist arrivals have doubled from about 80,000 to 120,000 in six months in 2022. There would be a major problem if resorts and hotels there will have no water supply.
A private entity, Richli Corp., saw the need to do it, and is responding to the call of Boholanos for a steady supply of clean and potable water to each and every household. But instead of getting support, they are being opposed and oppressed or given a hard time.
Richli started distributing water in Bohol in 2018 with its 7-stage, state of the art water treatment plant. It sources its supply from surface water from Malingin Falls of Cortes town, and it serves Tagbilaran City, Panglao, Dauis, Cortes and Baclayon. My inquiry reveals that concessionaires are satisfied with their service, including Panglao International Airport and the famous resorts in the area.
To improve and expand their water source and cover more areas, the private corporation is seeking additional water permit so it can proceed with the infra construction. But every obstacle was placed before them. Very disappointing, indeed, since documents will show that then governor now Congressman Chatto refused to issue an excavation permit to applicant Richli Corp. even if the Provincial Engineer’s Office already gave its nod and despite having paid the required fees.
The wife of Chatto who is the mayor of Balilihan, Bohol, also opposed the application of Richli for water permit, while Vice Governor Relampagos questioned the operation of Richli with the NWRB. In another case, to clear any legal obstacle to an existing permitee, Richli went to NWRB to secure a water permit to extract water at Ohan Spring located in Lourdes, Cortes, Bohol.
The petition was granted in September 2021 by NWRB. However, Bohol Water Utilities Inc. filed a motion for reconsideration. Up to now, it remains undecided by its Executive Director Sevillo David Jr. In the meantime, Boholanos are seen facing water supply problems with the projected El Niño phenomenon in the coming months. To avert water crisis in Bohol, approval or extension of the current permit is needed. This will help alleviate the impending water problem and lessen the anxiety of the Boholanos. Will they get water, or will rotten politics prevail?
To be continued.
For comments, e-mail me @andalbilly@yahoo.com
