MCWD celebrates World Water Day

AS the world celebrated International World Water Day on March 22, the Metropolitan Cebu Water District and SM City Cebu set up an exhibit showcasing the century-old Buhisan Dam and Fuente Osmeña.

The opening of the exhibit was graced by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, US Consul John Domingo, and Miss Philippines Water 2011 Muriel Orais.

Both the Buhisan Dam and Fuente Osmeña turned 100 years old last month.

The event, set up at the third level of the mall near the Bowling Center, will run until Thursday, March 29.

MCWD assistant general manager for operations Ernie Delco and assistant general manager for technical services Michael Balazo and SM City assistant mall manager Ma. Teresa Mempin opened the program at the SM City Cebu Event Center.

This year’s World Water Day celebration carries the theme “Water and Food Security.”

Rare old photos of the construction and inauguration of the dam can be viewed in the exhibit.

A miniature model of the dam and parts of Cebu City are also part of the exhibit.

Most of the photos are from the collection of Lucy Urgello-Miller , Mac Arthur Memorial Museum, Museo Sugbo and the Cebuano Studies Center while some of the captions were made by historian Eleazar “Jobers” Bersales of the University of San Carlos.

The dam was constructed in 1912 to address the cholera outbreak and series of fires that hit Cebu City.

The project was named Osmeña Waterworks upon its completion.

At that time, a pipe connected the dam to the park now known as Fuente Osmeña where a ceremonial opening of the water system was done.