NONGOVERNMENT and government organizations have collaborated to advocate for the protection of the Buhisan Watershed.
The Cebu Uniting for Sustainable Water (CUSW), in cooperation with various government and nongovernment organizations, including the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD), recently launched the “Save Buhisan Watershed Project” at the Buhisan Dam in Barangay Buhisan, Cebu City.
The launching was highlighted by a series of activities, like a tree planting, groundbreaking and the unveiling of the marker of the Buhisan Watershed Nature and Information Center.
MCWD Assistant General Manager for Operations Engr. Ernie Delco said that the Save Buhisan Watershed Project is a collaborative effort of government and nongovernment organizations whose primary aim is to save and protect the Buhisan watershed, which is being threatened by kaingeros and the charcoal makers.
The MCWD management has recently noticed an increase in the population and inhabitants from nearby towns and municipalities within the watershed.
Contaminate
There are reports that the dwellers have been cutting trees for farming and charcoal.
The advocates said the activities, if left unabated, will eventually destroy the watershed and contaminate the water supply.
The Buhisan watershed supplies water to the Buhisan Dam, which is operated and owned by MCWD.
It is the lone source of surface water by the district and accounts for four percent of MCWD’s average total water production of 165,000 cubic meters per day.
Present during the launching of “Save Buhisan Watershed Project” were Fr. Mar Alingasa and Arch. Socorro B. Atega of CUSW, Engr. Jun Sarmiento, chairman of the Millennium Development Goals, Business and Environment Cluster, Jose Antonio Aboitiz, president of Philippine Business for Social Progress, Eileen G. Mangubat, chairperson of the Cebu Hillyland Development Commission and publisher of Cebu Daily News and Department of Environment and Natural Resources 7 Executive Director Leonardo Sibalucca.
