Libacao rivers could solve Iloilo City water shortageBY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL
WILD RIVER. The wild river adventure - bamboo rafting - in Dalagsaan, Libacao, Aklan. The water crisis of Iloilo province could be solve by the possible sources of water in central mountains of the town of Libacao (BRZabal/Libacao web)
KALIBO, Aklan – The town of Libacao may yet hold the answer to Iloilo City’s water shortage.
The Metro Iloilo Water District is scouting for other possible sources of water and Libacao Mayor Charito Navarosa confirmed meeting with MIWD Acting General Manager Edwin Reyes last week.
Navarosa said Libacao has sufficient water sources and can provide potable water to 10 central towns in Iloilo Province, including Iloilo City.
“To ensure a 24-hour availability of safe and potable water in Iloilo City and nearby towns, Libacao has downstream rivers and water sources outside the protected watershed area of the proposed hydropower power to address water scarcity,” he told Panay News in an exclusive interview.
Iloilo has been identified as among the five cities in the country facing a water supply crisis, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) said.
Libacao, a fourth class municipality southwest of Aklan’s capital town of Kalibo, operates a water district servicing its Brgy. Poblacion and surrounding barangays. The town is also popular for its wild river adventures like bamboo rafting and kayaking. It is endowed, too, with natural springs, waterfalls and creeks.
The technical personnel from MIWD, Navarosa said, would ascertain the viability of the water level in Libacao’s water sources and tributaries under the Dutch government’s P1.5-million grant for feasibility study and consultancy before the month ends.
If the proposal pushes through, the installation of distribution and transmission lines from water sources – Dumalaylay and Dalagsaan rivers – in the central mountains of Libacao could directly benefit the outlying towns of Iloilo Province (Lambunao, Janiuay, Calinog, Dingle, Pototan, Mina, New Lucena, Barotac Nuevo, Dumangas and Zarraga).
Navarosa said MIWD and Reyes also favor the participation of private groups similar to Maynilad and Manila Water Company in the distribution of water in the water district’s concession areas.
“The capability of Libacao to supply the bulk of water distribution is feasible, considering the growing water demand requirement and the expansion of the city’s businesses – hotels and malls – in the city proper,” Navarosa said.
MIWD sources water from the Maasin Watershed's surface water to supply water to the different areas in the city, but, is experiencing low water reserve.
Navarosa said he also welcomed the California Energy International Ltd. (Cal En) supporting the proposal of MIWD to develop water sources in the mountainous areas of Libacao.
The American firm, Navarosa revealed, is undergoing field reconnaissance and engineering surveys for the proposed $420-million Aklan Hydropower Project at Dalagsaan, Libacao, Aklan.
The Metro Iloilo Water District is scouting for other possible sources of water and Libacao Mayor Charito Navarosa confirmed meeting with MIWD Acting General Manager Edwin Reyes last week.
Navarosa said Libacao has sufficient water sources and can provide potable water to 10 central towns in Iloilo Province, including Iloilo City.
“To ensure a 24-hour availability of safe and potable water in Iloilo City and nearby towns, Libacao has downstream rivers and water sources outside the protected watershed area of the proposed hydropower power to address water scarcity,” he told Panay News in an exclusive interview.
Iloilo has been identified as among the five cities in the country facing a water supply crisis, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) said.
Libacao, a fourth class municipality southwest of Aklan’s capital town of Kalibo, operates a water district servicing its Brgy. Poblacion and surrounding barangays. The town is also popular for its wild river adventures like bamboo rafting and kayaking. It is endowed, too, with natural springs, waterfalls and creeks.
The technical personnel from MIWD, Navarosa said, would ascertain the viability of the water level in Libacao’s water sources and tributaries under the Dutch government’s P1.5-million grant for feasibility study and consultancy before the month ends.
If the proposal pushes through, the installation of distribution and transmission lines from water sources – Dumalaylay and Dalagsaan rivers – in the central mountains of Libacao could directly benefit the outlying towns of Iloilo Province (Lambunao, Janiuay, Calinog, Dingle, Pototan, Mina, New Lucena, Barotac Nuevo, Dumangas and Zarraga).
Navarosa said MIWD and Reyes also favor the participation of private groups similar to Maynilad and Manila Water Company in the distribution of water in the water district’s concession areas.
“The capability of Libacao to supply the bulk of water distribution is feasible, considering the growing water demand requirement and the expansion of the city’s businesses – hotels and malls – in the city proper,” Navarosa said.
MIWD sources water from the Maasin Watershed's surface water to supply water to the different areas in the city, but, is experiencing low water reserve.
Navarosa said he also welcomed the California Energy International Ltd. (Cal En) supporting the proposal of MIWD to develop water sources in the mountainous areas of Libacao.
The American firm, Navarosa revealed, is undergoing field reconnaissance and engineering surveys for the proposed $420-million Aklan Hydropower Project at Dalagsaan, Libacao, Aklan.
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