By CESAR JOLITO III
Environmental groups and disaster risk reduction specialists are urging local government units in northern Negros Occidental to reject approvals for the proposed P1.2-billion Negros Occidental bulk water supply project, citing what they described as “fatal flaws” in its environmental and governance processes.
In a position paper dated May 24, the group called on the executive and legislative councils of Silay City, Victorias City, E.B. Magalona, and the provincial government to withhold all zoning clearances, environmental permits and Resolutions of No Objection related to the project.
The document questioned the conduct of recent public hearings facilitated by the Environmental Management Bureau, particularly those held in Silay City’s Barangay Guimbala-on on April 27 and in E.B. Magalona town on May 20.
According to the group, the hearings focused heavily on technical and commercial aspects of the water project while allegedly failing to adequately address long-term environmental and socioeconomic risks.
The position paper also claimed that communities in Silay City had already expressed opposition to the project through petitions, barangay resolutions and a unanimous rejection from the Sangguniang Panlungsod earlier this year.
Among the major concerns raised were the possible depletion of groundwater sources, saltwater intrusion in coastal communities, impacts on irrigation systems, and the risk of ecological damage within the Northern Negros Natural Park watershed.
The group warned that extracting up to 36 million liters of water daily from the Imbang and Malogo rivers could lower groundwater levels and threaten shallow wells and farmlands relied upon by rural communities.
Environmental advocates further criticized what they described as the lack of transparency in the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment, alleging that baseline studies on aquifers, biodiversity and climate-related risks were incomplete or unavailable to affected communities.
The position paper also raised concerns over the future ownership and management structure of the bulk water facility, warning against the possible privatization of water resources funded through public taxes.
As an alternative, the group proposed an ecosystem-based basin management framework that includes stricter enforcement of environmental laws, watershed rehabilitation, community participation in water governance, disaster risk reduction funding, and expanded rainwater harvesting systems.
The signatories also warned that legal action may be pursued if local opposition is disregarded, including the possible filing of a Writ of Kalikasan before the Supreme Court.
The position paper was attributed to environmental advocate Rusty Bañas of Green Alert and was described as an open document that may be adopted by organizations and individuals supporting the campaign against the bulk water project./CJ, WDJ