The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) cited 14 individuals and institutions as “water champions” during simple rites at the Quezon City Sports Club in celebration of the Philippine Water Week and the World Water Day (WWD).
Recognized for having gone above and beyond the call of duty to save the country’s water as the most precious natural resource, this year’s water champions are as follows:
Kampeon ng Lawa: Gil Abaquin (Ecoindex), Global Underwater Explorers and TWG Knife Fish Infestation;
Huwarang Lingkod Tubig: San Jose del Monte Water District and Baliuag Water District in Bulacan province, and Dumaguete Water District in Negros Oriental province;
Kampeon ng Katubigan: Manila Water’s Toka-Toka Advocacy Campaign;
Water-wise City Award: Makati City government;
Water Leadership Award: Engr. Arthur Batomalaque, environmental management specialist, City Environment Management Office of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental; and Engr. Thelma Bautista, city environment and natural resources officer of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan;
Huwarang Alagad ng Ilog Pasig: Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s Flood Control and Sewerage Management Office;
Water Warrior Award: Albert Toldanes, president of Samahang Tubig Maynilad-Riverview; Engr. Reydennis Gilbas, president of Bicol Water District Association; and Mayor Edwin L. Olivarez and the Parañaque city government for their Urban Gardening Campaign.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary for Staff Bureaus Demetrio Ignacio Jr., together with National Water Resources Board (NWRB) Executive Director Sevillo David Jr. and Maynilad CEO and President Ramoncito S. Fernandez, handed the awards to the honorees.
The WWD Awards was cosponsored by the Laguna Lake Development Authority, Local Water Utilities Administration, DENR-National Capital Region, Environmental Management Bureau and the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission.
Ignacio spoke on behalf of Environment Secretary Regina Paz L. Lopez, who is on official leave, during the event where he underscored the dual effect of untreated wastewater.
He said untreated, wastewater pollutes the environment and causes health problems. On the other hand, if properly treated and reused, it can boost the country’s water-conservation effort.
“Treated wastewater helps clean our environment, and reusing them conserves our water supply. They also offer economic advantages,” Ignacio said.
Citing a recent study of the United Nations Environment Program on the economic valuation of wastewater, Ignacio said approximately 330 cubic kilometers of municipal wastewater is generated globally.
“This can irrigate and fertilize millions of hectares of agricultural land that can substantially increase food supply and generate bioenergy for millions of households,” he said.
According to Ignacio, the dichotomy of wastewater fits well into the primary objective of the DENR under the new administration, which is to provide social justice to the people.
“Social justice means that in everything that we do, the communities should always benefit; and anything that we do should not result to the sufferings of our people.”
“We should always strive to recycle our wastewater to benefit our communities, and zwe should not allow untreated wastewater that will harm our people,” he added.
For his part, National Water Resources Board Executive Director David said that the water champions were an inspiration that “we can do so much more for the environment especially for our water resources”.
The UN General Assembly on December 2016 has declared 2018 to 2028 as the Decade for Water. A global launch will be held next year.