Baguio opposes water permit applications

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – The city government will oppose two water permit applications for ground water in Outlook Drive and Pacdal barangays before the National Water Resources Board.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan on July 30 signed City Council Resolution No. 226-18 asking him to intervene in behalf of the City Government in opposing Water Permit Application for groundwater with WPA No. CAR-BEN-2018-04-154 located at Outlook Ridge Residences, Outlook Drive Barangay and WPA No. CAR-BEN-2018-04-155 located at Bristle Ridge, Ambuclao Road, Pacdal Barangay filed by DMCI Project Developer’s Inc.

In the measure, the body also sought the conduct of consultations with the affected barangay officials and residents to determine their sentiments on the projects.

NWRB Water Rights Division Chief Elenito Bagalihog in a letter dated April 25 requested for the posting of the notices for said applications of on the bulletin board of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

The Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation and Traffic Legislation recommended that the City through the City Mayor register its opposition to the applications by virtue of Resolution No. 81 approved in 2014 which requested the NWRB to make the City Government as the automatic intervenor in all applications for water permits in the City of Baguio.

They noted that in Section 455(b)(3)(vii) of the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended the Local Chief Executive is empowered to “Adopt adequate measures to safeguard and conserve land, mineral, marine, forest, and other resources of the city.” 

In Section 458 (a)(5)(vii-viii) of the same Code directs the Sangguniang Panlungsod to “enact ordinances, approve resolutions and appropriate funds for the general welfare of the city and its inhabitants . . . . establish and provide for the maintenance, repair and operation of an efficient waterworks system to supply water for the inhabitants and to purify the source of the water supply; regulate the construction, maintenance, repair and use of hydrants, pumps, cisterns and reservoirs; protect the purity and quantity of the water supply of the city and, for this purpose, extend the coverage of appropriate ordinances over all territory within the drainage area of said water supply and within one hundred (100) meters of the reservoir, conduit, canal, aqueduct, pumping station, or watershed used in connection with the water service; and regulate the consumption, use or wastage of water and fix and collect charges therefor and Regulate the drilling and excavation of the ground for the laying of water, gas, sewer, and other pipes and the construction, repair and maintenance of public drains, sewers, cesspools, tunnels and similar structures; and regulate the construction and use of private water closets, privies and other similar structures in buildings and homes.”