MNWD, LGU NAGA, PNP, NCPNP ADVISORY COUNCIL AS SIGNATORIES: MOA inked for 664-ha protected area insi

NAGA CITY --- Protecting, conserving, managing, and sustaining the 664 hectares of precious watershed located at the Mt. Isarog Natural Park (MINP) in Panicuason, Naga City is one of priority programs of the Metropolitan Naga Water District (MNWD). The watershed is under joint management of the MNWD and LGU Naga. Knowing that this program can never be successful without the help of the stakeholders and the community, the MNWD forged partnerships with agencies, both government and private, and the civil society, to realize the aim of ensuring the supply of potable water for the future generations. It started with 5 partners in the late 1990s to 30 at present. Board Chairman Jorge T. Palma vowed to have a total of 40 partners by the end of the year. “It has to be a concerted effort of all stakeholders not only of the water district alone. We have to further intensify our efforts in protecting, managing, and sustaining our watershed. ” he said. Thus, the partnerships with multi-agencies for the MINP’s welfare. Monday last week, August 7, 2017, Mayor John G. Bongat, representing LGU Naga City, Naga City Police Office Acting City Director, PSSupt Jonathan O. Panganiban, Mr. Jorge T. Palma representing the PNP Advisory Council, and AGM Virginia I. Nero, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) seeking cooperation in protecting, managing, and conserving the MINP. The event was held at the Board Room on the second floor of the water district building in the presence of City Hall Officials, PNP Personnel, MNWD staff, and the MNWD Board of Directors. In his speech, Mayor Bongat lauded the MNWD for its various projects to ensure the protection of the MINP. Protecting the MINP is protecting Naga City, “It is a rare privilege for MNWD to be able to tap ground water sources since we don’t have the luxury of surface water as source of potable water, hence, we need to sustain these programs with continuous and well-planned steps,” he said. Furthermore, Mayor Bongat said we have to look into how to tap the water flowing from Mt. Isarog to the rivers and streams for agricultural purposes. He concluded that we also have “to educate the public in a judicious and continuous manner on how to save and use water wisely.”