Negros Occidental groups press reforestation over capitol’s P1.2-B bulk water project

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – Environmental watchdogs and residents have called on the provincial government to prioritize reforestation over a planned P1.2-billion bulk water project, citing concerns over environmental impact, water security, and long-term sustainability.

The project is designed to have a capacity of 34.5 million liters per day (MLD), with surface water to be drawn from the Imbang and Malogo rivers in Silay and EB Magalona, respectively. 

Potable water would then be supplied to Manapla, EB Magalona, and the cities of Victorias, Silay, Talisay, Bago, and Bacolod via their respective water districts. 

The provincial government said the project aims to ensure water security amid a projected province-wide water crisis in the next 20 years.

However, environmental groups warn that water scarcity could worsen if forest cover in the North Negros Natural Park (NNNP), the largest watershed in northern Negros Occidental, continues to decline due to unregulated upland developments. 

Both Green Alert Network (GAN) and the Group of Environmental Socialists (GOES) acknowledged that the proposed Negros Occidental Bulk Water Project (NOBWP) has both advantages and disadvantages. 

Randy James Rojo, GOES co-founder, said Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson should confront the depleting forests not only at NNNP but also at Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park (MKNP) in southern Negros.

Pushing for the NOBWP, Rojo said, will add to a “critical ecological deficit” the province is already facing. 

Rusty Biñas, founder of GAN, said combining NNNP and MKNP, the province has a forest deficit of about 480,000 hectares.

“The choice is stark, and a bulk water project is nothing more than a commitment to finance our own future. Who will go first, the horse of watershed protection or the cart of water distribution? The answer is both, but only if the horse is made whole, strong, and publicly controlled,” Biñas said.

Catholic priest Reverend Father Ernie Larida of EB Magalona, who is leading a group in opposing the plan called the provincial government’s presentation during a public consultation in Barangay Guimbala-on, Silay, on December 3, “half-cooked,” and said it failed to address residents’ “fears and worries.”

“If the province is talking about a water crisis, so, why would the bulk water project only serve the six [localities]? What will happen to 26 other towns and cities in the province?” Larida asked.

He added that the Imbang and Malogo rivers are smaller than Bago River in Bago City, Himoga-an River in Sagay City, Binalbagan River in Binalbagan, and Ilog-Hilabangan River in Ilog and Kabankalan City.

Larida’s group reported low water levels in the Imbang and nearby Nahalinan River during the last El Niño and feared these could worsen with the bulk water project. 

“I am not doing this because I am a priest. I am doing this because I am a resident of Guimbala-on. My parents are still there. My siblings are still there. My relatives are still there,” he told Rappler on Tuesday, December 9.

The provincial government said it is conducting watershed rehabilitation in Talisay and is willing to fund the establishment of an Imbang Watershed Council and its management plan. It also said small water-impounding facilities could be built to support downstream farmers.

Larida’s group has sought detailed engineering plans for the NOBWP, and questioned its sustainability after 17 private firms reportedly backed out from bidding. 

Officials said public consultations will continue in four other barangays of Silay before moving to EB Magalona. Silay officials, led by Mayor Joedith Gallego and Vice Mayor Tom Ledesman, have openly opposed the project. – Rappler.com