Save rainwater!

The strong wind and rain last May 19 and 24 briefly passed but many streets of Metro Cebu were immediately flooded.

Stranded commuters and vehicles, garbage all over. Must Metro Cebu have to witness similar scenarios even with just the slightest of rains?

Shouldn’t rainwater, drainage, flood management, sustainable food supply, employment generation, poverty alleviation be the priority of LGUs (rather than unnecessary reclamation, waste to energy projects) and of national government (rather than the problematic Maharlika Fund?)

Typhoon Betty is not expected to land but in the event that the present super typhoon veers away from its present northwest direction, enter and hit many more parts of our country, government (local and national) has assured everyone that they have made all the necessary preparations and precautions to avoid loss of life especially.

Can one of the preparations vs. typhoons and rains take the form of managing rainwater? Rather than passively allowing the rains to cause floods, damage to crops, injury, loss of life, and other negative consequences, can we not instead save, properly manage rainwater, and reduce runoff instead?

Several non-government groups like RCE Cebu, Zonta Cebu, more, have been advocating rain harvesting and rainwater runoff reduction.

Rainwater harvesting ordinances have also been passed by LGUs, like in Cebu City. Immediate implementation, though, remains a problem.

Why?

So many researches and models have been shared about the advantages of rain harvesting. So government cannot use lack of knowledge/information about rain harvesting as a reason for non-implementation and adoption. Budget should also not be a problem the way LGUs are prioritizing expensive but non-essential projects.

Located within the typhoon belt and with annual rainy seasons, rain harvesting should have been prioritized all throughout this country long ago.

Still, it is never too late for government and all to start harvesting and better managing rainwater.

Several biblical verses have referred to the benefits of rain, heaven’s blessings. Repeatedly, the verses stress the important role of rains for life --of people, of crops, of animals, of the earth.

Some of these verses include:

Zechariah 10:1- “Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain, from the Lord who makes the storm clouds, and he will give them showers of rain, to everyone the vegetation in the field.”

Leviticus 26:4- “Then I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.”

Job 5:10 – “He gives rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields.”

Isaiah 30:23 – “And he will give rain for the seed with which you sow the ground, and bread, the produce of the ground, which will be rich and plenteous. In that day your livestock will graze in large pastures,” and,

James 5:18 – “Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.”

Households can save rainwater with simple water containers, whatever is available in your homes. Preferably though, you may want to invest in containers that can hold more rainwater volume. Make sure these are covered and clean.

Rainwater catchments (simple/inexpensive/creative and useful) should also be required and prioritized throughout barangays, villages, offices, other institutions, farms, forest , coastal, rural and urban communities.

In my November 19, 2016 Perspective, I wrote:

“In the midst of continuing climate change, we need to know how to conserve and preserve natural sources of water as water is so essential for life. We also all have to know how to use precious water properly and responsibly.”

Rather than just let the rains fall, run off and/or flood streets and your communities, why not help save and harvest the rains and be among those who proactively transform rainwater as a valuable resource for sustainable life for people and planet?