The Negros Occidental Provincial Integrated Water Security Plan for 2023 to 2030 was approved on Friday, September 16.
It was approved at the first Provincial Integrated Water Security Council meeting at the SEDA Capitol Central Hotel in Bacolod City, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said
“With the approval of this plan, it is now important to cascade this to the local government units because the participation of all LGUs is very crucial in the success of this water security plan,” he added.
They are now proceeding to more systematic and organized interventions to improve water security in the province by virtue of the creation of the Provincial Integrated Water Security Council and the City Municipal Level Water Security Technical Group, he said.
Lacson stressed the need for investments to achieve water supply and sanitation targets, and the importance of PPPs (Public Private Partnerships) in increasing sources of water. LGUs may look into Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) for users to enhance LGU budgets for watershed management, he said.
The governor also thanked the USAid for its “commitment to our shared goal of a water-secure future and for the improved wellbeing of Negrense families in water stressed communities”. *