Ilocos Norte folks respond to looming water crisis

Governor Imee Marcos brainstorms with the participants of the first Ilocos Norte water summit as they formulate a comprehensive provincial water management plan. The summit organized by the provincial government was held November 27, 2014 at the Laoag City Hall Auditorium and participated in by various groups composed of policy makers, farmers, students, academe, private and public organizations. (Alaric Yanos)

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff reporter

Laoag City—Like in most parts of the country and across the globe, water shortage has been a challenge for Ilocos Norte households with a growing population of more than 568,000 living in a degraded environment due to water mismanagement. The declining water availability which has been recorded over a decade from 1,900 cubic meters in 2000 to 1,500 cubic meters in 2010 has raised the alarm among Ilocanos to gather as one, plan ahead and act now.

Participated in by about 475 local residents composed of policy makers and planners, farmers organizations, environment advocates, students, researchers, church groups, government agencies and non-government organizations, the first of its kind province-wide water summit initiated by the Ilocos Norte provincial government on Nov. 27 yielded positive results, leading to the formulation of concrete action plans to address the looming water crisis.

Florentino David, National Irrigation Administration operations department manager is the special guest of the summit. (Alaric Yanos)

Taking their cue from five invited resource speakers, the participants who were later on requested by organizers led by Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos to divide themselves into 6 zones based on clustered municipalities where they belong, participated in an hour-long workshop where they identified the top three problems in their respective areas and possible solutions for it.

Dr. Roseller Ayson of Mariano Marcos State University tackles watershed development and management. (Alaric Yanos)

The resource persons were namely: Dr. Roseller Ayson, forester of the Environmental Science Department of the Mariano Marcos State University(MMSU)-College of Agriculture, Forestry and Sustainable Development who discussed about watershed development and management; forester Gregorio Santos Jr., a senior science research specialist of the Ecosystem Research and Development Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources based in Laguna who lectured on the importance of rainwater harvesting; Engr. Noel D. Ganotisi, senior science research specialist of the Philippine Rice Research Institute in Batac City who told participants the advantages of alternate wet and dry method of rice growing; Ilocos Norte Water District general manager John Teodoro, who discussed potable water and; Dr. Ma. Victoria R. Domingo of MMSU-College of Industrial Technology, citing the responsibility of every individual on the successful implementation of solid waste management 

Acting as the number one critic of each group presenter, the governor highlighted the common top three problems identified by each zone with the same characteristics covering the 21 municipalities and two cities of Ilocos Norte. These are: watershed degradation, waste disposal and water scarcity.

On top of the top major concerns listed, each group formulated common solutions to it, specifying measurable targets while defining role of each stakeholder in the action plan.

“There are lots of problems identified. Now, little by little, we should do something to address them together. Tuloy-tuloy tayong magtrabaho at tuparin ang ating action plan. Sabay-sabay nating harapin ang water challenge ng mga dekada,” Ms. Marcos said adding, “Let us learn to manage our water resources as it is the only way that we can be the best little province in the entire nation.”