Talisay seeks P5M from MCWD for watershed rehab

Talisay City is seeking P5 million from the Metropolitan Cebu Water District as seed capital for the reforestation of a 461-hectate watershed area and for the rehabilitation of a subterranean aquifer.

Mayor Socrates Fernandez is drafting a memorandum of agreement between the city and the MCWD to discuss the matter.

The MCWD pumps 35,000 cubic meters of water from four stations in barangay Jaclupan, which are under the territorial jurisdiction of Talisay City. Water is also pumped from the subterranean aquifer of Jaclupan Valley for distribution to MCWD's concessionaires in Metro Cebu.

Under the MOA, the seed capital of P5 million will be spread out in equal monthly installments of P12,250 per month until fully paid or until such time that MCWD shall continue to draw ground water from Talisay. MCWD shall also coordinate with the city in its reforestation program especially in Jaclupan.

The barangay shall have at least one seedling bank to be manned by at least one farmer who shall be a resident of the barangay. The nursery shall supply seedlings of different varieties of trees to be planted in the watershed area. The water utility shall also hire an agriculturist to supervise the tree planting activities and to oversee the work.

Under the contract, the MCWD shall remit one-percent of the gross revenue of water production from Talisay wells but the amount will depend on the financial statement submitted every end of the year and shall be paid quarterly to the Talisay city treasurer.

They will also give priority to the water requirement of Talisay and undertake pending applications for water service connection as priority for approval, and main pipeline should be installed in the population center where households may avail of safe drinking water at MCWD's prevailing rates.

For the part of Talisay, the city shall take responsibility to secure the permission and cooperation of private landowners involved in the program. They will also ensure the protection of all areas within from environmentally damaging activities.

Under the terms, the MOA will remain to be in effect until the P5 million seed capital has been fully paid or until such time that MCWD will cease from drawing groundwater from Talisay. The parties shall mutually agree upon the renewal of the agreement not later than six-months prior to the expiration of the original term and upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon and such renewed agreement shall be made prior to the termination of the original period. - Garry B. Lao