DENR eyes multipurpose infra to optimize water usage

By Rio N. Araja

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is eyeing a multipurpose water infrastructure to optimize the utilization of the country’s water resources that could enable multitasked usage of the national resource.

Meanwhile, the water level at Angat Dam, Metro Manila’s main water source, is “enough” for now although it would need to go up in preparation for the El Niño phenomenon, according to the

Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).

DENR Secretary Antonia Loyzaga said the agency will refocus government’s water security strategy, look to tap other water sources and recycle wastewater as the need for stable and steady water supply increases on the back of growing demand and the threat from the El Niño episode. The DENR will work closely with other concerned government agencies, such as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the tourism as well,” he said.

National Economic and Development Authority, the Local Water Utilities Administration, and the MWSS on the possibility of building public water supply facilities for multiple usage, including irrigation, power generation, industrial and commercial and domestic purposes, she said.

“We are looking at our respective budgets and our programs to see how we can design multipurpose infrastructure to actually serve the different needs of agriculture, power, water for domestic use, and for industry,” she added.

Pelayo, known for his hands-on leadership during his tenure as Candaba mayor, firmly believes that the proposed water impounding project will not only alleviate the perennial flooding issue, but also provide a boost to local industries and tourism.

He expressed disappointment over Pampanga Rep. Ana York Bondoc’s reaction to the proposed solution.

In a meeting of Pampanga officials with the President recently, York expressed strong opposition to the construction of the water impounding area, saying that it will result in loss of livelihood for residents who plant cash crops in the swamp, when it dries up during the dry season.

A Cabinet member present at the meeting however said only 200 hectares of the 2,000-hectare swamp will be affected.

Thumbs

UP FOR AIPA.

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez (center) ashes the thumbs-up sign with (from left) South Cotabato Rep. Peter Miguel; Batangas Rep.Mario Vittorio Mariño; Pangasinan Rep. Rachel Arenas; Negros Occidental Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez; former Rep. Rosemarie Arenas; Bukidnon Rep. Jose Manuel Alba; Secretary General Reginald Velasco; TUCP Party

List Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza; Sultan Kudarat Rep. Princess Rihan Sakaluran; Zamboanga Del Norte Rep. Glona Labadlabad; and Nuva Ecija Rep. Joseph Gilbert Violago during the plenary session of the 44th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in Jakarta, Indonesia. Ver Noveno