Local chief executives and functionaries of various cities and municipalities in Bicol have signed the manifesto of support, highlighting the conduct of the Local Governance Water Forum held at the Ateneo de Naga University from January 6-7, 2011.
The manifesto of support which was formulated by the participants during the Forum, is a call to action for national leaders to address issues and concerns of waterless local government units in Bicol that were identified during the workshop session, particularly on the provision of potable water supply.
During the forum, Mayor Roque L. Carranza of Magallanes, Sorsogon, presented the topic on economic regulation of water resources by way of showcasing the Magallanes experience on how they were able to provide water to the people of Magallanes and how it evolved into an economic enterprise. On the other hand, Dr. Eva Ocfemia of the DENR-EMB V discussed the topic on local water resource management while Dr. Ramona S. Renegado of the Ateneo de Naga discussed the topic “Water for the Poor”.
Representatives from partner agencies namely, Mr. Augusto Rodriguez, social policy specialist, UNICEF, Dir. Roderick M. Planta, NEDA, Ms. Kathleen Mangune, project officer, NEDA, Ms. Belen Suarez, National Water Resources Board (NWRB), Ms. Fe Banluta, project officer, WSSU-OPDS/DILG, Ms. Marivic Nocum, assistant project officer, WSSU-OPDS/DILG, Ms. Nelia O. Almerol, senior program assistant, WSSU-OPDS/DILG and Mr. Pey Canlas, NEDA consultant, provided inputs during the workshop and the plenary session. Representatives from the local water service providers, NEDA and other government agencies composed the panel of reactors.
In attendance during the forum were Mayor Ben Espiloy of Monreal, Mayor Job Willard Rivera of San Pascual both from Masbate; Mayor Alejandro Gamos, Sta Magdalena, Mayor Ester Hamnor, Casiguran, Mayor Jimmy Fragata, Juban, Mayor Olivia Bermillo, all of Sorsogon; Mayor Rogelio Flores, Milaor, Mayor Nebb Santiago, Cabusao, Mayor William Abilay, Gainza, Mayor Sandy Ondis, Siruma, all of Camarines Sur; Mayor Senandro Jalgalado of Capalonga, Camarines Norte and Mayor Jaime Villanueva of Tiwi, Albay. Local functionaries, Sanggunian Bayan members, municipal administrators, MPDCs, DILG officers, representatives from NGOs and the academe and other stakeholders likewise attended the forum. Representatives from local water service providers, NEDA and other government agencies composed the panel of reactors. The DILG V Project Development and Monitoring Unit (PDMU) headed by Engr. Renato Bolon rendered technical assistance and coordination work prior and during the conduct of the forum.
The water forum is an activity under the information-education and communication (IEC) component of the MDGF 1919 project.
Final screening for MDGF-1919 poster-making contest
Side by side the conduct of the Local Governance Water Forum was the conduct of the national screening for the MDGF 1919 poster-making contest. A total of 50 entries from Region II, V, IX, X and XIII were screened by the panel of judges composed of Ms. Fe Criscilla Banluta of the WSSU-OPDS/DILG, Mr. Eric Planta of NEDA, Ms. Kathleen Mangune of NEDA and Ms. Belen of the National Water Resources Board (NWRB).
Five winning entries were chosen for the elementary category and five for the high school category. The winning entries will be printed as postcards for distribution to different schools nationwide. The students will mail the post cards to Pres. Benigno Aquino, Jr. containing their stories on their experiences brought about by the lack of access to water. – (AO IV Ma. Grace Joy U. Tango)
