LGU Naga, brgys urge to put up rainwater collection facilities
By Jason B. Neola
AFTER it junked the proposal by the Metro Naga Water District to put up additional pumping stations in the city for environmental reasons, the Sangguniang Panlungsod has enacted an ordinance mandating the city government of Naga and the city’s 27 barangays to construct rainwater collection facilities on structures they owned.
Known as the “Rainwater Collection and Harvesting Ordinance of Naga City,” the measure encourages the use of rainwater as viable alternative for non-potable needs, which can address the environmental issue on the preservation of water sources.
Councilor Joselito S.A. Del Rosario said that rainwater, if properly harvested, stored, and utilized, is good for car washing, general cleaning, laundry, and for other uses by commercial and industrial entities.
RAINWATER COLLECTION Mayor Nelson Legacion (4th from right) approves the Rainwater Collection and Harvesting Ordinance after last Monday’s (June 7) flag raising ceremony. Photo shows (from right to left) Councilor Joselito S.A. Del Rosario, Youth Councilor Averly Jerryl A. Escoto, Vice Mayor Cecilia V. De Asis, Legacion, Youth Mayor Berlineth Nymia T. Montes, and Councilor Jose B. Perez, who co-authored the ordinance along with his city youth councilor counterpart, Ezra M. Baylon. CEPPIO
“Also, it [harvested rainwater] can be maximized for urban gardening, landscaping, and other household and agricultural needs like irrigation or farm water supply,” said Averly Jerryl A. Escoto, Del Rosario’s youth councilor counterpart, who is a graduating chemical engineering student at the University of the Philippines-Diliman.
The councilors said that it is necessary and imperative for the LGU to build collaboration with MNWD to promote the installation of rainwater collection facilities in communities to be able to acquire an alternative source of water supply. The idea was prompted by the pronouncement of MNWD that it will cease construction of pumping stations by year 2027.
The ordinance, which prescribes guidelines and mechanisms for its implementation, mandates the:
1. Promotion of the construction/installation of rainwater collection facilities (RWCFs);
2. Promotion of the harvesting, storage, and utilization of rainwater;
3. Construction/installation of RWCFs in city and barangay government–owned facilities, private business establishments for non-potable use, and;
4. Nagueños to participate actively in environment-related programs and undertakings like preservation of water sources.
The 11 structures identified in the ordinance that will to be constructed with RWCFs are in: Naga City People’s Mall; Naga City Abattoir; Naga City Hospital; Our Lady of Lourdes Infirmary Hospital; City Agriculturist Office; Metro Naga Sports Complex; City Hall Main Building; Solid Waste Management and Motorpool Building; City College of Naga (annex, Almeda Highway); barangay halls and other facilities; and other buildings as may be identified later on.
The Rainwater Management Board is tasked to implement its mandates and oversees the implementation of the ordinance.
The board is composed of the city mayor as chairperson; SP chairman, committee on environment as co-chairperson with SP chairman, committee on infrastructure; SP chairman, committee on public safety; city engineer/building official, city planning and development coordinator; general services officer;
City treasurer; head of Housing Settlements and Development Office; head of Investment Promotions Office; Department Head of the City Events, Protocol, and Public Information Office; president of Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the president of the Liga ng mga Barangay as members.
The ordinance’s penal provision states that a punong barangay of non-complying barangay shall be reprimanded and its corresponding budget for the ensuing year shall not be approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod until after the budget for the installation of the RWCF has been included thereto.
The same rule applies to the department heads and chiefs of offices of the LGU who failed to incorporate in their respective annual budget the construction of the facility. “They shall be held liable for simple neglect of duty and shall appropriately dealt with,” the ordinance said.