Water, as generally conceived during the early years of the water industry, was an infinite resource. Contrary to such belief, it is a God-given yet limited natural resource and should therefore be utilized by man as responsibly as possible. The misconception that water is a limitless natural resource has been proven otherwise. Scientific calculations show that the earth’s available fresh water is only 3% of its water resources and 2% of which is trapped in polar caps. Only one percent (1%) is available fresh water-supply for global consumption of 6.2 billion population. And 3% of this 1% of fresh water supply abounds in the open surface such as streams, lakes and man-made reservoirs, while 97% of this 1% of fresh water-supply is subsurface or groundwater. To utilize the surface water is inimical to the planet’s biodiversity. Hence, the utilization of subsurface water is the best alternative as it is also viable. The remaining ninety seven percent of the total global water-supply is salt water. Indeed the water used 2000 years ago is the same water we are using now, no more, no less. The water balance should therefore be maintained or else salt water will intrude our fresh water reserves and possibly inundate our coastal areas.
The Metropolitan Naga Water District (MNWD), as an agency mandated to supply potable water to its concessionaires, ensures that extraction of water is within the safe yield. This means that extraction equals the volume of water recharged or naturally replenished by the production source. During the early years of potable water service delivery to the consuming public, the MNWD’s thrust focused primarily on water supply.
The advent of the 90’s brought new challenges to the MNWD as successive periods of long dry spells commonly called the “El Niño” phenomenon, not to mention the devastation brought about by the decimation of forest cover at the watershed areas in Mt. Isarog Natural Park, has tremendously decreased the water production capacity of the MNWD.
Mt. Isarog is the main source of potable water supply of the MNWD covering the City of Naga, Municipalities of Canaman, Magarao, Camaligan and Gainza. It is the above scenario that prompted MNWD to re-focus its priorities and considered watershed rehabilitation, management and protection as part of its development program basically geared towards long-term water-supply sustainability. Potable water is a product of a clean and green environment.
MNWD have two on-going watershed development projects in Mt. Isarog Natural Park (MINP) covering the 356 hectares catchment area of Kalinisan-Nabuntulan Springs in Panicuason, Naga City and the 317 hectares catchment area of Anayan-Rumangrap Springs in Curry, Pili, Camarines Sur. Water Resources Management, likewise, remain an on-going monitoring and research activity for the MNWD. Private production wells, however, will have to be strictly monitored by the agency concerned, National Water Resources Board (NWRB).
Water supply is the basic activity of the MNWD. The openness of its management towards social responsibility and sustainable development prompted it to invest in environmental projects, not only for the sake of the present but future generations to come.
A clean and healthy environment is for the good of all and should therefore be the concern of all. Let us not rely solely from the Water Utilities, the Local Government or any other institution for the supply of our clean, safe, potable water. Let us all do our share.
A study conducted by Camarines Sur State Agricultural College (CSSAC last April 2005 re: VEGETATIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE ANAYAN-RUMANGRAP WATERSHED AREA/MNWD WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT PROJECT revealed a 90% vegetative cover with the remaining 10% still occupied by illegal settlers pending the result of court litigation.
Completed and On-Going Watershed Management and Rehabilitation Projects at the Mt. ISarog Natural Park (MINP):
1. Samahang Pangkalikasan ng Harubay Inc. (SPHI) -20 Has.- Completed 2005
2. Mt. Isarog Integrated Area Development Project (MIADP) – On-Going
3. Association of Bicolanos for Environmental Protection (ABEP Inc.) -75 Has.- On-Going
4. Pili Water District -285 Has.- On-Going
5. CARE Philippines -510 Has.- 2002 to 2005
6. Metropolitan Naga Water District (MNWD) -673 Has.- On-Going
Data source: DENR, MINP-Protected Area Office
I. Nursery Operations/Seedling Production and Maintenance
MNWD forest workers/employees undertaking maintenance activities (sorting, re-bagging, weeding, replanting) of naturally grown seedlings at the nurseries.
II. Forest Plantation
MNWD forest workers/employees conducting reforestation activities in areas previously occupied by illegal occupants for their agricultural purposes.
III. Forest Plantation Maintenance
Areas previously cultivated for agricultural purposes are regaining its environmental integrity as MNWD forest workers/employees undertake regular maintenance activities.
IV. Forest Protection
Informative billboards, entrance outposts, boundary markers and lookout towers are just some of the activities undertaken by MNWD to ensure sustained conservation and protection of our watersheds.
V. Institutional Development
Information education campaign, livelihood assistance and housing are major components of the MNWD’s Watershed Development Project in collaboration with other Government and Non-Government Organizations i.e. Rotary Club of Naga, Plan International Bicol, CSSAC and LGU-Pili, Camarines Sur.
