BAGUIO CITY – The city government and the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau – Watershed and Water Resources Research Center (ERDB-WWRRC) entered into an agreement for the promotion of water harvesting technology among local residents to be part of the climate change adaptation and mitigation measures.
The agreement was signed by Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan and ERDB Director Henry Adornado at the Le Monet Hotel within Camp John Hay (CJH) Thursday afternoon.
Under the agreement, the ERDB-WWRRC which will be based in the city shall provide technical assistance to the city government in their efforts to establish a water harvesting demonstration facility through the conduct of trainings on water harvesting technologies, techno-fora and techno-exhibits that would be participated in by concerned city officials and employees; provide technical assistance and various extension services to the city government for the use of bamboo technologies in the rehabilitation of denuded areas within the identified sites for water harvesting; monitors and suggests improvements to the implementation of the development plan for the water harvesting fasciitis and sites prepared by the city government; conducts site monitoring and coaching, if necessary, to improve the water harvesting sites and conducts studies towards the improvement of the water harvesting sites and other related areas and provides other forms of assistance whenever necessary as may be agreed upon by both parties.
On the other hand, the city government shall participates in trainings, technology for a and exhibits to be conducted by the ERDB-WWRC; involves the ERDB-WWRRC in the development of water harvesting facilities based on a mutually agreed work and financial plan; showcases and promotes sustainable water harvesting technologies and encourages water harvesting technology adaptation by local residents and visitors in the area; involves the ERDB-WWRC in the development of the water harvesting technology area; assists the agency in the conduct of studies for water harvesting and other related concerns; and documents development activities in the water harvesting sites for record purposes and allow the ERDB-WWRRC access to such records.
Adornado said the indigenous ways of water harvesting will be respected by both parties but what is being encouraged is the development of more technologies that would introduce the necessary innovations that would enhance water harvesting practices beneficial to climate change adaptation and mitigation.
He added that the mere fact that a huge volume of water will be harvested will significantly contribute in the saturation of the solid that would result to soil erosion posing a serious threat to life and limb.
For his part, Domogan claimed the signing of the agreement is a breakthrough in the city government’s plan to include a provision in the city’s environment code that will mandate new structures in the city to include in their plans and specifications water harvesting facilities that would help in the recycling of rain water for various domestic uses.
By Dexter A. See
