Experts deem Negros Oriental ‘Center of Excellence for Water’

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines  — For its successful water conservation and management initiatives, Negros Oriental province has earned the distinction from the country’s key water experts of being considered by them as the Philippines’ “Center of Excellence for Water.”

Amor Maclang, director of Water Excellence-Philippines, made the announcement during a two-day “ridge-to-reef” tour in Negros Oriental early this week with members of the national and local media accompanied by other water experts. They visited the province’s marine protected sanctuaries, watersheds and Lake Balinsasayao, as well as the wastewater treatment facility of Dumaguete City.

Maclang said WE-P is now working closely with the provincial government, and the multi-sector Integrated Water Resources Management Council to make Negros Oriental a center for excellence in water management.

“I’m proud to say that of all the many places we have been into, for advocacy either in tourism or the environment, Negros Oriental has the highest per capita in terms of environmental conscious, local government units and its people and businesses,” said Maclang.

Some of the towns in Negros Oriental already have their best practices for water management, she said, adding that issues on water should have been addressed, unlike the water crisis in Cebu that has been overshadowed by attention on political matters instead, such as between Secretary Mar Roxas and Vice President Jejomar Binay.

“Unless the right kind of attention is provided, each of the urban issues will fall like a domino if not addressed,” said Maclang, who lamented over the lack of concerted effort to conserve water, as an important factor to development.

The establishment of Negros Oriental as the country’s center of excellence in water management would draw other LGUs nationwide to focus on this issue and this province’s system, said Maclang.

Another water expert, Dr. Rex Victor Cruz, former chancellor and now professor of the University of the Philippines-Los Baños, lauded the water conservation and management program of Negros Oriental, especially on its watersheds, with the support and participation of the province’s LGUs.

Assistant Provincial Administrator Froilan Pinili, representing Governor Roel Degamo, meanwhile, disclosed that the Integrated Water Resources Management Council, created in 2009, will soon come up with implementing rules and regulations, for the protection and conservation of the Ilog-Hinabangan Rivers in Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental.

Next week, a water conference will be held in Dumaguete City with key authorities on water conservation, environmental protection and similarly natured areas, as guest speakers.  (FREEMAN)