A LOCAL people’s organization is pushing for sufficient and clean water supply and care for the environment as it moves for a representation in Congress.
Edgar “Guy” Lopez, founder and president of Awareness of Keepers of the Environment (Awake), said that this will be the first time that such joint advocacy espoused by a singe organization will be represented in Congress should their group secure a seat at the House of Representatives.
“While there are now some senators and congressmen who are known to be environmentalists, there is no single representative (group) that advocates both for water and environment at the same time,” Lopez said during Balitaan, a weekly media forum by Capampangan in Media, Inc. and the Clark Development Corp.
“Some friends in water districts (in the country) share the same call for a representation in Congress where issues related to water supply could be addressed directly by their chosen representative,” he added.
Lopez once served as president of Philippine Water Works Association (PWWA) and the Water and Environment Association of Philippines (WEAP), and chairman of the Angeles City Water District (ACWD). He was also a former national premier of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity.
He added that the biggest challenge now is the lack of treatment facilities for wastewater all over the country.
“Not even of percent of the local governments and water districts have this facility as mandated by law. Waste treatment facilities must be put in place,” he said.
He said the current practice of putting up septic tanks and backyard disposal pose a threat to the environment as harmful elements from domestic and residential wastes seep through the water table.