Rainwater harvesting ordinance forum held

A forum on the Rainwater Harvesting Ordinance in Davao City was conducted last April 24 at Lispher Inn in Juna Subdivision, Matina in order to elicit support for its promotion and implementation from various sectors in society. The forum was organized thru the joint efforts of Davao City Water District, office of Councilor Leo R. Avila III, Watershed and Environment Protection Coalition of Davao City (WEPCD) and Interface Development Interventions (IDIS), Inc.

Among the objectives of the event included the presentation of the highlights and updates of the implementation of the ordinance from the City Planning and Development Office and City Engineering’s Office and the discussion of issues and concerns that various stakeholders have about the ordinance.

Opening the gathering was DCWD spokesperson Imelda T. Magsuci who explained how DCWD shares the objective of Rainwater Harvesting Ordinance and that is to ensure water resource sustainability in Davao City. While DCWD has already implemented the lifeline water rate to encourage residential connections to limit their water usage by offering a fixed rate of Php100.00 to residential connections with ½”meter size consuming 10 cu.m. or less, the ordinance, in turn, encourages commercial establishments to cut down on their water consumption by providing regulatory fee incentives.

Councilor Avila, author of the ordinance, explained the objectives. He said that it primarily aimed to promote proper harvesting, storage and utilization of rainwater as a viable alternative source of water supply; to reduce the effects of storm water peak flow and surface runoff; to encourage and support the adoption and development of appropriate technology related to rainwater utilization; and to enact and enforce policies towards the promotion of the proper harvesting, storage and use of rainwater.

In order to give the participants an idea how they could construct their own facility in their respective establishments, SM Lanang manager Therese Lapena-Manalo presented the mall’s rainwater harvesting system.

After the discussions, the 50 participants from civil society organizations, academe, local government office, Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., WEPCD, IDIS, Women and Environment in Barangays and Watershed Management Youth Council gave their respective commitment to campaign the ordinance. (PR DCWDJovana T. Duhaylungsod)