PB to LGUs: Plan activities september is “Water Conservation Month”

CEBU, Philippines - The Provincial Board has requested all local government units (LGUs) in the Province of Cebu to plan out activities relative to the celebration of the “Water Conservation Month” on September.

The PB passed a resolution requesting all LGUs to conduct activities supporting water conservation and to join the Province of Cebu and other agencies in its celebration.

Board Member Thadeo Ouano, who chairs the committee on environment conservation and natural resources, sponsored the resolution.

The PB, through an ordinance sponsored by then board member Victor Maambong, declared every month of September as Water Conservation Month for the Province of Cebu.

A variety of activities aimed at promoting protection, conservation, rehabilitation and management of Cebu’s water resources marks the celebration.

Ouano said that during this Water Conservation Month, the conduct of information and education campaigns on water conservation measures and the efficient utilization of water is encouraged especially at the grassroots level, which is to be spearheaded by the LGUs.

Other agencies involved are the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police-Police Regional Office 7 (PNP-PRO 7), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Health (DOH), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Province of Cebu;   

He reiterated that water is considered as the lifeline of most human, social and economic activities; clean and sustainable water resources and supplies are vital to the economy, environment  and citizens of the entire country including that of the Province of Cebu.

“The country’s water resources continue to decline in quality and abate quantity which tells us the great probability of water shortage supply in the future, this reminds us that water resources and supplies, no matter how diverse, are finite,” Ouano said.

He said that all water users including agricultural, industrial, hospitals and other commercial, institutional and private citizens can contribute to conserving Cebu’s dwindling water resources and each stakeholder can actively participate in the protection of our water resources by promoting the efficient use of water and advocating sound water conservation practices.

Ouano added that sound water resource management and water supply development can be best achieved by consensus building, establishing broad educational networks and partnerships, conducting water use efficiency research, implementing appropriate best management practices, and sharing data to foster development of local and provincial water conservation policies. —  (FREEMAN)