WHICH is more important: energy power or water?

In terms of economic development, electricity is needed. In Davao, as in other urban areas in the Philippines that is moving towards industrialization, power supply is required. This is the main reason why the Hedcor, Incorporation (Hedcor) is developing a hydropower project at the Panigan-Tamugan River in Marilog district that will provide "cleaner electricity requirements for the populace."

Get updates and join Dabawenyos Kadayawan 2008 celebration

While the Interface Development Interventions, Inc. (Idis) considers the development of a hydropower as "noble intention," it maintains a non-negotiable position if the company's project will undermine the city's future water source.

In a position paper, the environmental group said that it will not have any disagreements with Hedcor if its project can coexist with that of the Davao City Water District "to achieve their respective objectives."

"However, if pursuing the power project in its present design would undermine the future water source of the city then it should give way to the surface water development project," said the Idis position paper signed by its executive director Lia Jasmin Esquillo.

Over the years, Idis has been consistently advocating that the Panigan-Tamugan Rivers be protected especially after it was identified as the future source of drinking water of Davao City. "As such, we have consistently called for its protection and done actions for its preservation," the position paper said.

"Water is life," the old proverb insists. Tell that to Filipinos and they will readily agree. A study made by the Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) shows that at least 431 municipalities outside Metro Manila are without water.

"Between 20 to 40 liters per head per day is the minimum needed for drinking, bathing, cooking and sanitation," the Pacific Institute for Development Studies estimates.

In its report, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources identified Davao as among the major cities in the country, suffering from a shortage in fresh water supply. A critical number of communities in the second district are perennially suffering less supply of water.

"While many Dabawenyos still don't feel the crunch now, it is up to the government to think strategic and concrete measures now to avert the crisis," Esquillo told a national daily last year.

Water covers over 70 per cent of the earth's surface and is a major force in controlling the climate by storing vast quantities of heat. About 97.5 per cent of all water is found in the ocean and only the remaining 2.5 per cent is considered fresh water. Unfortunately, 99.7 per cent of that fresh water is unavailable, trapped in glaciers, ice sheets, and mountainous areas.

Unlike Burma or Malaysia, the Philippines is not water rich. In 2000, the country had only 6,332 cubic meters of "total actual renewable water" resources per capita. That dipped to 5,880 cubic meters five years later, and it is still falling today.

One billion people, about a sixth of humanity, lack access to safe drinking water, according to United Nations data. And one in three people live in regions with water scarcity. "Demand for water is rocketing with a rising population," the UN Population Fund warns.

Agriculture absorbs 74% of all water taken by humans from rivers, lakes, aquifers and wetlands against 18% for industry and 8% for municipalities. "The link between water and food is strong," points out Lester Brown, president of Washington-based Earth Policy Institute.

The Philippines used 28.5 billion cubic meters of water in 2000. A third of that flowed into farms. According to a UN-backed study by the International Water Management Institute, the amount of water needed for crop production will rise 60-90 percent by 2050, to 11,000-13,500 cubic kilometers from 7,200 cubic kilometers today, depending on factors including population growth and crop yields.

While water is a life giver, it can also be a serial killer. Children are especially vulnerable to water-borne diseases. Annual infant deaths from diarrhea alone exceed the toll of Mindanao armed clashes. "A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter," wrote John the Apostle in the book of Revelation.

For comments, write me at henrytacio@gmail.com

For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Bacolod.

For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here.

(October 1, 2008 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.