Baguio, barangay execs oppose BCDA water permit application

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – The city council supported Greenwater Village barangays’ opposition here to the water permit application of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority over the spring being maintained by the residents saying it will rob residents of their water source.

The body approved Resolution No. 162 urging the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) not to implement the notice of water permit application dated April 28, 2014 of the BCDA.  It will also initiate the filing of appropriate formal protest before the board.

The officials said the spring water has been developed, protected and maintained by the barangay residents since the 1950s and has served as their water source since then with the residents maintaining their own pipelines from the water separator to their homes.

The body also said that the BCDA’s application over the spring violates conditions set by the city in the development of Camp John Hay particularly the third condition which mandates the BCDA to provide additional water supply in the zone to be sourced from outside the city and to ensure that water use within the zone will in no way deplete or minimize the water supply in the city.

Greenwater barangay officials were informed by the NWRB of the BCDA’s application last June 25.

The body noted a notice of posting of water permit application was also issued by the NWRB on April 28, 2014 for posting in the barangay bulletin board for 30 days.

The council earlier adopted Resolution No. 81 series of 2014 asking the NWRB to make the city government as the automatic intervenor in all applications for water permits in the city to protect the city’s water sources.

“As per mandate of the Local Government Code of 1992, it is the duty and responsibility of the Local Government Unit to promote and protect the health and general welfare of its people and to provide a healthy environment for its constituents thus the city will initiate the filing of the appropriate formal protect on the matter before the (NWRB) in coordination with the affected barangay of the city,” the body said.