let's join this worthy cause ... http://apps.facebook.com/causes/279913/60895542?m=6d54c0aa
“. . .put the looming crisis over water shortages at the top of the global agenda this year and take action to prevent conflicts over scarce supplies.” --UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon SAVE TAMUGAN RIVER! A Manifesto of Support
We, concerned citizens, solidly support the Davao City Water District’s (DCWD) proposed Tamugan Surface Water Development project (TSWD).
We are aware of the looming water crisis in the city as pointed out by various independent studies [1]. With a city population rate of 2.84%, a rapidly declining forest cover [2], and burgeoning commercial and industrial activities, there is reason to be alarmed.
The TSWD is an imperative step to address this. Over the years, we have derived practically all of our water from groundwater sources. We have used up only 1% from our surface water, which is compelling enough to begin developing new projects such as the TSWD.
We understand that the Tamugan River that will be tapped by the DCWD for its surface water project is the only river left in Davao City that has an acceptable water quality and sufficient volume to meet our future needs for drinking water [3].
We understand also that the proposed hydropower project of Hedcor within the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed may likely disturb the environment. It will certainly compromise the groundwater sources of the Dumoy aquifer which supplies water for the majority of Davaoenos.
Hedcor undoubtedly has other rivers to tap, while DCWD has only the Tamugan River to utilize. The latter is our last remaining, economically viable, and physiologically feasible source of drinking water. Specifically, it is expected to bring new service connections to some 150,000 residents, and improve existing services to more than 800,000 more people.
In view of the above reasons, we urge our national and local government officials to fully enforce policies designed to protect our water sources. We implore them to support DCWD’s surface water project and to declare the use of Tamugan Rriver solely for domestic and municipal purposes.PROTECT OUR FUTURE’S ONLY SOURCE OF DRINKING WATER!
[1] Master Plan Study on Water Resources Management in the Philippines: Final Report, National Water Resources Board (NWRB), August 1998; Asia-Geodyne Corporation, commissioned by DENR XI, MEIP and World Bank; 1981-82 C.Lotti-LWUA Study and DCWD ECD and PD
[2] State of Talomo-Lipadas Watershed: A Report, by PCEEM, 2006
[3] DAVAO CITY WATER SUPPLY PROJECT FEASIBILITY STUDY--July 2000, by NJS Consultants and CEST Inc.
