DENR to form multisectoral council on La Mesa management

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is set to create a multisectoral council to oversee the management of the La Mesa dam, recently declared as a protected reservation by President Arroyo.

DENR-National Capital Region executive director Corazon Davis said the La Mesa Watershed management council will include stakeholders, including the Quezon City government, in order to ensure the effective management of the water reservation. La Mesa supplies water to millions of Metro Manila residents.

The DENR also asked the Quezon City government to refrain from issuing business permits until a development and management plan is in place.

President Arroyo declared the La Mesa watershed a protected reservation in a bid to protect and improve the water quality and security of the dam amidst the proposed establishment of housing units in the area.

Mrs. Arroyo issued the proclamation last July 18, “but subject to private rights,” apparently referring to the property rights of retired employees of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) claiming titles to the 54-hectare portion of La Mesa. The retired employees are reportedly planning to put up a residential village in the area.

The DENR, however, said the President’s proclamation will serve as “a deterrent or restraining mechanism” against incompatible land uses in the area.

Outgoing Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes also said the proclamation will help in ensuring potable water supply for Metro Manila residents.

Covering a total land area of 2,659 hectares, the La Mesa Dam is a holding reservoir of water coming from the trans-basins of Umiray, Angat and Ipo watersheds.

Reyes said the proclamation of La Mesa as a watershed reservation would complete the protection of the network of trans-basins from contamination since Umiray, Angat, and Ipo were already declared as watershed reservations.

For its part, the Quezon City government welcomed the assurance of the DENR that it will be made party to the multisectoral watershed management council.

Even before the presidential proclamation, the city council already passed a resolution calling for the proclamation of the La Mesa Watershed as a protected area.