The designation of the Balili River system as a Water Quality Management Area (WQMA) in order to restore and improve water quality of the river is possible but may take sometime until its full operations.
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Dr.Rolando Metin, former Department of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary and now a World Bank consultant, stated this during a recent meeting of the Balili River System Revitalization Coalition (BRSRC).
The WQMA designation, like that of the Balili river, is a mandate and not voluntary. This is provided for in the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 which specifies the designation of certain areas as WQMA using appropriate physiographic units such as watershed, river basins, or water resources regions, Metin explained.
Among the reasons for the establishment of a WQMA, apart from restoring and improving water quality, is to make it more productive as source of water supply, to protect public health, and to improve the overall environment and aesthetics of the area, according to Metin.
There are no set rules in the establishment and designation of a WQMA, but he said there has to be regular meetings, if possible monthly, until the ownership of WQMA will be developed.
He appreciated the initiatives already being undertaken by the BRSRC adding that he is looking forward to attending the meetings of the coalition. The BRSRC is composed of stakeholders from multi sectors from Baguio and Benguet who have bonded together to save the Balili River.
Balili River, whose headwater is the Sagudin River in Baguio, cuts through La Trinidad, irrigating most farms of the valley. For years, farmers depended on the River for watering their farms but this has changed dramatically in recent years; the River is almost biologically dead.
Metin said that as the local government units are on top of the program in collaboration with the other stakeholders, they will still be given enough time to draft compliance plan.
In the case of the Balili River System, both LGUs of Baguio and this town should have its own compliance plan according to Metin citing as an example compliance to sewage or treatment plant to avoid contamination.
Metin said the law provides area water quality management fund but the Environment and Management Bureau of the DENR is still on the process of establishing the fund acquisition.
Only when the WQMA becomes operational hopefully by November next year, will there be funds to be acquired, according to Metin. In the meantime, the coalition could source out funds from donors, he suggested.
University of the Cordilleras vice president for Research Dr. Ruben Umaly and Benguet State University Dean of College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Aurea Marie Sandoval are pushing for the conduct of training for stakeholders particularly in research undertakings such as collection of water samples. - (PIA / by Susan Aro)
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