CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — “Nakakalungkot na ang Pampanga, ang Bulacan, kamukha ng ibang lugar sa Pilipinas ay binabaha dahil sa mga ilog natin, pero at the same time kulang din ang tubig, lalo na sa tag-init, lalong-lalo na ngayon na papasok na ang Super El Niño.”
Thus, Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon articulated the current situation meriting concerted action among all concerned stakeholders during a coordination meeting at the Capitol here on Oct. 20.
Adequate and reliable water supply in the face of a severe El Niño was the primary focus of the meeting among Dizon, Gov. Lilia “Nanay” Pineda, Vice Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda, Local Water Utilities administrator Atty. Jose Moises Salonga, DPWH Region 3 director Arnold Ocampo, representatives from the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources, local water districts in Pampanga, Manila Water Philippine Ventures Inc., and Clark Water Corp.
“Ang kailangan, i-address natin ang dalawang problema …through surface water o bulk water facilities na iniutos sa atin ng pangulo …kamukha na lang ng mga ginagawa natin na detention basin, hindi lang ‘yun sasalo ng tubig para bumawas ng baha, pero yung sasaluin na tubig ay magagamit din for either irrigation or even household domestic water,” Dizon explained. “Iyon ang pag-aaralin natin ngayon at iyon ang gusto nating implement.”
Of the participation of Manila Water, Dizon said “Matagal nang may proposal ang Manila Water para sa bulk water facility na kukuha ng tubig galing sa Pampanga River at ibang river systems dito sa Pampanga para imbes na kukumuha tayo sa lupa, e kukuha tayo sa ilog, yung surface water na tinatawag.”
Whatever happened to the proposal was not divulged though. Punto News Team/Photos: Pampanga PIO
