TROPICAL Storm Sendong’s wrath in 2011 was a painful eye-opener implanted in the memory of Cagayan de Oro City and the entire CDO Riverbasin. However, an eye-opener remains an empty lesson when we do nothing to prevent it from recurring. The lessons of Sendong were very clear to us: “The bountiful wealth of Northern Mindanao — stretching from our primary watershed areas in the mountains down to the coastal life-giving abundance of our seas — continues to be widespread, but the management of natural resources and recognition of our indigenous peoples remain largely ignored.”
There have been many misconceptions about the proposed City Ordinance on the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) and we hope to shed light on this concern for the public. PES is an emerging financial tool for environmental preservation, conservation, and protection anchored on research and community collaborations, whereby as a “rewarding mechanism” for providing ecosystem services (such as fresh air, potable water, and mitigation of disaster risks, among others). The proposed City Ordinance on an ecological service and protection fee entails only a minimal fixed rate of P5-peso per household. Correspondingly, a 50-centavo per cubic meter additional charge will be made for the business and industry water users. The funds will be exclusively used to protect six watershed areas, particularly in Agusan, Alae, Bigaan, Cugman, Gusa, and Iponan, and also help rehabilitate the headwaters of the city in Bukidnon. Agro-reforestation mechanisms will provide restoration as well as livelihood and the barangay parks will provide green open spaces and room for the river during flooding.
Physical indicators are showing us the fall in static water level and fall in pumping water level. These signs are observed as early as 2003 in the following barangays: Macasandig where groundwater has depleted for about 3 feet a year, Bugo at 1 foot per year, and Calaanan at 7-14 feet per year. This reality has been exacerbated by economic pressures, unresponsive policies, and climate change.
In our commitment to environmental stewardship, the Cagayan de Oro River Basin Management Council authored this proposed ordinance on PES. We believe that this ordinance, championed by Majority Floor Leader Councilor Ian Nacaya, is not only meant to protect our watersheds but also prevent another Sendong to happen. We highly encourage all Cagayan de Oro stakeholders to take part in this initiative to ensure and support the preservation and protection of our local ecosystems, promote disaster preparedness, and enhance the right of people to a balanced ecology.
Join us today in our efforts to heighten the awareness on the importance of our environment with this prayer taken from Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si':
O God of the poor,
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Archbishop Antonio Ledesma SJ
Lead Chair, Cagayan de Oro River Basin Management Council