Let’s save La Mesa Dam

Former Russian Federation President Mikhail Gorbachev once said, "Clean water is a universal human right."

But we know that in many places around the world, clean water is scarce. Hydrologists estimate that more than two billion people worldwide live in "water-stressed areas." Africa, some parts of China, India, Mexico and the Middle East are now experiencing water shortages. The demand for fresh water grows as population increases. The culprit lies somewhere. It could be our living standards or unsound water management. It could also be global warming which harms the availability of water and the environment in general. Whichever way you look at it, water is becoming an endangered specie.

Saltwater comprises 97 percent of all the water in the world. Yes, there is water around us but it is either in the form of snow or ice. There is an uneven distribution of water around the world. In Africa, with its desert sands, water is like gold. Middle Eastern countries desalinate sea water. And those located in Asia have something to pray for: they have the greatest amount of water available annually. Is it because of the rainfall? Is it because of the still un-tampered aquifers (an underground bed or layer of earth, gravel, or porous stone that yields water) lying underground?

Very recently, we heard about the news that those living in Parañaque, Muntinlupa and Las Piñas can dig up wells to augment tap water provided by MWSS. MWSS cannot provide sufficient water in these areas, where water rationing has been done for a number of years now.

We are still very lucky because there is water underneath. What if there is no water that comes out after digging or if the water is not potable or unfit for human use at all? And what if the aquifers are already depleted?

We need water in sickness and in health. Dirty water causes various diseases.

In the name of development, watershed areas are being threatened. One of these is the La Mesa Watershed. La Mesa Watershed is composed of a variety of ecosystems and is home to many indigenous species of birds, monkeys and wild pigs. There is the La Mesa Eco Park which is made up of an orchidarium, the Butterfly Garden, Hanging Bridge, Picnic Area and Eco-trails, a lagoon and fishing wharf among others.

The 2,700-hectare La Mesa Watershed is now threatened. In recent years, illegal logging, unauthorized agricultural conversion and squatting hastened the loss of the watershed’s renowned diversity.

The La Mesa Reservoir provides filtration services for 1.5 liters of drinking water for Metro Manila’s more than 11-M population. But clean water from La Mesa is under siege when the plan to erect a housing area for MWSS unionists pushes through. The 58-hectare land is located downstream from the water reservoir.

According to the UP National Hydraulic Research Center (UP-NHRC), "It is in the best interest of the MWSS and the general public that the 58 hectares of the La Mesa Watershed area being proposed for the MWSS housing project shall remain a protected watershed area and not be converted to a housing project."

Bantay Kalikasan is exerting all it can to support the rehabilitation, development and protection of the entire La Mesa Reservation/Watershed Area. It is also against the conversion of the 58-hectare land into a housing area.

Thus, the Save The La Mesa campaign pushed by a coalition of organizations and individuals who are against the water contamination of La Mesa and other threats should the MWSS and claimants pursue the housing project within the reservation.

Every Metro Manila resident, including the more than a thousand MWSS housing beneficiaries, have a right to clean, potable water. It is an inalienable right that we have clean water and we live in a clean environment.

Let us Save The La Mesa. Let’s go for a clean water and a clean environment. For those who want to join the movement, log on to www.lamesaecopark.com