Paje: Report illegal deep wells to DENR, NWRB

Manila, Baguio in target list 

Environment Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje is urging the public to report cases of unauthorized extraction of water from deep wells as the government intensifies its crackdown on such illegal activity that causes groundwater depletion in Metro Manila and areas like Baguio City.

Paje said the crackdown was also sort of a “preemptive measure” because the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), which he chairs, anticipates rise in construction of illegal deep wells as the El Niño-spawned dry spell threatens the country’s water supply.

“Groundwater extraction is strictly prohibited throughout Metro Manila and certain parts of  Bulacan and Cavite provinces and extraction in other areas in the country are regulated by the NWRB,” Paje said.

“We are calling on the public to help us in our intensified crackdown against illegal deep wells by reporting such cases to us. We are on the lookout for existing and yet to be constructed deep wells that are not sanctioned by the NWRB,” the environment chief added.

As secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Paje also serves as the chairman of the NWRB, which is responsible for all water resources in the Philippines.

NWRB coordinates and regulates all water-related activities in the country that have impact on the physical environment and the economy.

Paje had instructed all DENR and field offices nationwide to be ready to receive inquiries and complaints about illegal deep wells and coordinate with concerned local government units and district offices of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) for proper action.

The NWRB hotlines – (02) 928-2365 and (02) 920-2641 – have already been activated to receive reports on illegal deep well construction. In the Cordillera Region, Tel Numbers (074) 444-28-06, (074) 442-45-31 and (074) 443-93-21 are always open to accept reports coming from the public on illegal deep well construction in the region.  The public may also access its website at www.nwrb.gov.ph.

“Rest assured that all reports referred to the DENR and NWRB will be treated with utmost confidentiality,” Paje said.

The NWRB has imposed a total ban on deep water drilling in Metro Manila as well as in Guiguinto, Bocaue, Marilao and Meycauayan in Bulacan, and Dasmariñas in Cavite.

Groundwater levels in these areas were identified as “critical” by the Consultants for Engineering and Science and Technology (CEST), which was commissioned by the NWRB in 2004 to conduct a field study on groundwater levels and deep wells in Metro Manila and adjacent areas.

According to the CEST study, groundwater extraction was a major reason why floods take longer to subside in the cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela.

The study noted that severe water extraction from groundwater is also causing seawater intrusion into groundwater and also land subsidence, which could damage buildings, bridges and highways due to sudden changes in ground elevation.

From 2008 to 2013, a total of 1,008 illegal or abandoned deep wells were shut down by the NWRB.