Cebu City to create water board

The Cebu City Council is  proposing the creation of a water resources regulatory board to manage and regulate extraction of groundwater and surface water for commercial use.

A draft ordinance is pending with the  committee on laws for review.

The sponsors, Councilors Noel Wenceslao and Augustus Pe Jr., also want the board to represent the city in the adjudication of water rights/permit applications before the National Water Resources Board.

This will  ensure “optimum use and control” of water resources to meet present and future needs of Cebu City.

The proposed board  will focus on regulating the use,  exploitation, conservation and protection of water resources in Cebu City.

While the NWRB serve  as the water regulatory body of the country, the Local Government Code also empowers the Sanggunian to pass measures to ensure  delivery of basic services and to protect its resources.

The sponsors  noted that water demand  increases as the population in the city grows.

The board will review applications for  water rights, development plans and groundwater extraction among others.

It will also recommend to the council general policies for the protection of the city’s water resources./Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac