BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – Western Visayas was the second fastest-growing regional economy in the country valued at P1.024 trillion in 2023.
However, the region’s rapid urbanization and unprecedented population growth have also taken a heavy toll on its water sector.
As the region grows and the water demand increases, these circumstances cause significant effects on the water resources and infrastructure in the region leading to water scarcity, deterioration of water quality, and inadequate sanitation, according to the Regional Development Council (RDC).
“Though water is the basic and crucial need of the population and industries, the water sector in the region has long been neglected in terms of planning and management,” read the council’s Regional Development Plan for 2023 – 2028.
Citing 2021 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the council said the total volume of water abstracted in the county in 2020 reached 218.46 billion cubic meters (bcm), of which 98.1 percent was abstracted from surface water and the remaining 1.9 percent from groundwater reservoir.
Two studies also provided estimates on Western Visayas’ water potential. The Philippine Water Supply and Sanitation Master Plan (PWSSMP) commissioned by NEDA in 2021 estimated 15, 343 million cubic meters (mcm) per year with 14, 200 mcm/year for surface water and 1,143 mcm for groundwater at 80 percent dependability.
But such was lower than the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) estimate of 20, 644 mcm/year in 1998 at 50 percent dependability, the council stressed.
“While there is an estimate of potential water source, there is a lack of comprehensive study to map out the available surface water, groundwater, and rainwater throughout the region,” the council said.
The council noted the present problem of saline water intrusion and contamination of the groundwater supply strengthens to tap other sources of water, particularly surface water and rainwater.
“However, there are no proper management or surveillance techniques on excessive extraction of surface water or groundwater,” the council said.
It mentioned the unregulated activities in watersheds could also cause the problems like soil erosion and reduced water infiltration.
The council also cited the lack of a comprehensive inventory of all water-related infrastructures such as water supply, irrigation facilities, and flood control infrastructures affects the coordinated rehabilitation and maintenance effort of the sector.
The council said that such is worsened by inadequate financial and technical capabilities of institutions in planning and implementation of water-related infrastructure projects.
“Consumers experience periodic disruption in water supply, which indicates water shortage, especially in highly-populated areas,” the council said.
This perennial problem, the council stressed, exposes the water supply to pollution seepage, and contamination. The low water pressure also indicates problems in the water supply that can be the source of contamination.
For instance, the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD), which entered into a 25-year concession contract with Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW), reported incidences of water pressure falling below seven pounds per square inch (psi) and recommended at least 10 psi water pressure to avoid pollution seepage.
The normal water pressure for residential use is 40 to 60 psi, and below 40 psi is considered low pressure. The water district also expressed concern over non-revenue water as high as 50 percent, which adds to the already high price of water.
To address such issues, the council came up several strategies including the implementation of the Integrated Water Resource Management in the planning and management of land, water, and coastal resources.
It said that Western Visayas will pursue strategies to achieve the targets for the short-and-medium-terms.
These include guaranteeing reliable and continuous water supply through efficient management and construction of water infrastructures.
The council added that such will effectively manage allocation and utilization of water particularly over competing water uses.
These strategies will also help guarantee the standard quality of surface and groundwater and warrant appropriate water sanitation and drainage systems.
It will also ensure protection of land, water and coastal resources and prevent property damages and loss of lives caused by coastal and any water-related hazards, the council added.
“The strategies will also prevent flooding and effects of droughts through effective management and water resources and construction of efficient water infrastructures,” the council said.
Western Visayas will also support the implementation of the Philippine Water Supply and Sanitation Master Plan (PWSSMP), the National Water Security Road Map (NWSRM), and the National Irrigation Master Plan (NIMP).
“The master plans will be revised and modified based on the conditions and prioritization of the region. Regional data are needed to tailor-suit the planning of development of the water sector in the region,” the council said./PN
