The City of Pines continues to face the perennial struggle of not having enough water supply during the summer season, the Baguio Water District (BWD) and city government discussed in a coordination meeting last March 27.
The Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) and the BWD then disclosed that the country's summer capital is experiencing water shortages as a result of the increasing population and influx of tourists visiting the city—with the local population reaching over 392,000 in just the first half of the year, apart from the estimated one million people traveling in for work and business.
Furthermore, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and BWD District General Manager Salvador Royeca denounced the overpumping of deep wells done by private companies and, subsequently, warned the owners of water delivery businesses who abuse the city’s watersheds just for profit.
A water crisis, according to the United Nations Water, occurs when there is not enough freshwater resources to meet all human and environmental demands in a given area.
Dehydrated deep wells
The spread of unauthorized deep wells was one of the issues raised during the meeting. Despite the lack of a list of the claimed unregulated deep wells, both Magalong and Royeca believed in the existence of these businesses and stated that only 210 water companies have permission to drill into the city's groundwater aquifers.
In Baguio City, where 70% of its water comes from underground sources, these unregulated and private deep wells cause water shortages in the city as they deplete or drain the waterbeds beyond what rainfall can replenish. Royeca added that the practice of over-extracting water sources for their own agenda could harm the city’s water table.
“It is sad that there are people who think only of their business and what they can earn without any regard to what they are doing to the environment. Please be warned that over-pumping of water and other activities that harm the environment are against the law,” Magalong said, airing his disappointment.
Unregulated deep well drilling is punishable under the city’s Environment Code with a maximum fine of P5,000 and/or imprisonment for one month and one day to six months.
Conservation and Solutions
Meanwhile, City DRRM officer III Louie Lardizabal emphasized the importance of water conservation and preservation during a media forum at city hall on March 29. He stated that water scarcity is also a DRRM concern.
“We should all be practicing water conservation and recycling in our households, not only when there is water shortage,” he advised.
Carrying a large storage box in her arms, Baguio resident Jane Soriano strategically positions the improvised cistern near the end of her neighbor's roof to catch and store rainwater for later use, as it has been a week since their supply was restricted.
“Pag may okasyon at maraming turista, kinukulang supply ng tubig. Mahigit 19 years na akong nakatira dito at ngayon lang naging ganito kalala, dati hindi naman laging nauubusan,” Soriano said.
She then enumerated a number of things she does in order to conserve and preserve water, adding that she even encouraged her whole family to do the same.
“Nag-iipon na kami para hindi maubusan. Pero kapag malapit na maubos ‘yung naipon na tubig, papasok ako sa planggana at isasahod ko ‘yung pangligo ko,” she said while laughing. “O hindi kaya ‘yung ginamit panglaba ay iipunin namin at gagamitin na pambuhos sa CR. ‘Pag wala na talaga, tubig ulan na ginagamit namin.”
To address the water shortage in elevated areas like Barangay Fairview — where Soriano’s home is situated — the BWD is searching for more deep wells and other existing sources of water that can be tapped to ensure that everyone, especially those who were severely affected, has a continuous water supply.
Magalong appealed to the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) for intensified monitoring and regulation of the unregistered deep wells and claimed that the city is searching for more solutions to the water shortage.
“Hopefully maaprubahan ang ating request for a P195 million rainwater facility, and this will be in Buyog area para maging apat na ang ating rainwater,” Magalong cited as a long-term solution for the city’s water crisis.
The city council also passed a resolution requesting the BWD, City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) and other relevant government organizations to conduct a feasibility study to increase the amount of usable water supply in the city.
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