ANGELES CITY --- Officers and members of an environmentalists' group have expressed alarm over a report about the presence of coliform and other contaminants from water samples collected from water flowing along the Abacan River here.
Renato "Abong" Tayag Jr., board chairman of the Pampanga Aguman Ding Talaingat Danum (Talaingat Danum) cited the previous report prepared by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) describing that the water quality of Abacan River is the "worst."
According to Tayag, the water flowing at Abacan goes directly to several towns in Pampanga which are major suppliers of fish like tilapia and others.
Waste water coming from residential areas and small-scale businesses and industries are drained into the river which pollute the entire water system, Tayag added.
He said the government and the private sector should cooperate in formulating programs to ensure the sustainability of clean water for the people of Pampanga and Central Luzon.
Former councilor Louie T. Reyes, president of the Talaingat Danum, said their group supports the waste water treatment project of the Angeles City District (ACWD).
The city government should allow the water facility to start with the project immediately.
The same green group earlier warned that the Metro Clark area and some parts of Pampanga may also experience water shortage because of massive development which destroys rainforests and watershed areas.
The newly-formed organization issued the statement following the water shortage being experienced by thousands of residents in Metro Manila.
Tayag said the water supply chain should not be cut otherwise the people will suffer from water scarcity.
"The missing link now is the watershed. Our water supply chain is like a circle. It starts with rain and then water shed which holds and processes water to replenish our ground water table where we draw our traditional source of water from deep wells," Tayag said.
He also suggested the massive tree-planting in the mountain ranges of Clark in order to restore water shed areas.
"We should also learn to conserve water during these times. We are not saying that we can no longer take a bath which is about our personal hygiene. There are many ways to save water, we can recycle water supply. Waste water can be use in other purposes like washing your car or watering the plants," Tayag said.
Metro Manila will not experience water shortage if watersheds in Antipolo and Tanay are protected, according to Tayag.
People should cooperate to address environment issues including water shortage and climate change, he said.
"We should unite and stop blaming each other. We are all responsible because we all use water," Tayag added.
Reyes then said that the issue about watersheds was raised during the joint meeting of the Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA), Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Incorporated (PamCham), and Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Industry Incorporated (MACCII) recently inside the Clark Freeport.
The MACCII was tasked to come with a resolution to address the issue, according to Reyes, who is also a MACCII member.
"Maybe next month or by May, we will have another joint meeting and we will push for the approval of the resolution to protect water shed areas around Clark," he added.
According to Reyes, the Talaingat Danum has recently acquired its Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registration.
He said the group is set to initiate an irrigation project to protect and restore the Sapang Bato Water Shed situated at the Clark sub-zone.