CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--Key stakeholders all over Northern Mindanao converged here for a two-day summit to discuss the pressing water security and sanitation issues in the region.
The Northern Mindanao Integrated Water Security Summit, held at Seven Seas Waterpark and Resort in Opol, Misamis Oriental on May 25-26, 2023 was organized by Oro Chamber of Commerce and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. - Northern Mindanao through the Regional Development Council (RDC)-X Infrastructure and Utilities Development Committee (InfraCom).
Ruben A. Vegafria, PCCI regional governor and RDC-X InfraCom vice-chairperson, said they conducted the summit seeing the myriad of issues and challenges faced by the country's water sector including limited water resources, non-universal access to water supply and sanitation, insufficient and wasteful irrigation service provisions, and vulnerability to water-related hazards like flooding, among others.
"I hope this summit will help us identify development interventions, policies, programs and projects, institutional mechanisms, legislative reforms, and LGU-devolved functions to address water security issues," he said.
The summit was backed by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)-X, Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-10, Environmental Management Bureau (EMB)-10, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-10, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-X, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-X, and Promote NorMin.
"We do not expect water-related problems to be solved today or tomorrow. We are bringing everyone together so that we can discuss issues relating to water and we can also learn from our experts. This will just be the first of many conversations, of many events to discuss solutions to our water problem before they become a crisis," said NEDA-X regional director Mylah Faye Aurora Cariño.
Discussions during the summit include the regional water demand scenario, the national water security roadmap with a specific focus on Northern Mindanao, salient features of the Philippine water supply and sanitation master plan, formulation of provincial integrated water security plans, the current situation of integrated wastewater management in Northern Mindanao, and the national sewerage and septage management program, among others.
It also featured an exhibition showcasing water services and technologies from various agencies, both public and private.
More than 450 stakeholders participated in the summit consisting of regional line agencies, local water districts, civil society organizations, academe, and local government units from the five provinces of Northern Mindanao.
Governor Peter M. Unabia of Misamis Oriental, Governor Rogelio Neil P. Roque of Bukidnon, Mayor Rolando Uy of Cagayan de Oro City, Mayor Jayfrancis Bago of Opol town, and Congressional Representatives Jurdin Jesus Romualdo of Camiguin, Yevgeny Vincente Emano of the 2nd district of Misamis Oriental, and Jose Manuel Alba of the 1st district of Bukidnon, also actively participated in the summit.
"This assembly is a necessary and urgent step towards achieving our collective aim of attaining water security and providing safe, adequate, affordable, and accessible drinking water for the Filipino people living in northern Mindanao," said Unabia, who also chairs the RDC-X InfraCom. (APB/PIA-10)