Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson. Photo from the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental Facebook page
BACOLOD CITY –– Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson on Tuesday led the launching of the Provincial Integrated Water Security Program that aims to increase access to water supply, improve water resource management, and strengthen water sector governance in the province.
“It is a significant step towards a serious, science, and evidence-based approach, and in-depth water governance for a more inclusive and sustainable development in the province of Negros Occidental,” the governor said.
Lacson said 2.2 billion people globally do not have access to safe water at home.
In the Philippines, nearly 5 million rely on unsafe water sources.
In Negros Occidental, which has a 3-million population, 25 percent have no access to water supply, and 18 percent have no access to sanitation services.
“With these figures, it is a pity to know that while the entire world has made leaps in terms of modernization and technology, a basic need such as water remains a privilege for some,” Lacson said.
“We all know that water is a basic need, but such has become scarce. This concern, pressing as it is, is further aggravated by water pollution, water-borne diseases, climate change, and deforestation, to name a few,” he add