Bulacan Journalism LAKBAYAN


“Water is the basis of life and the blue arteries of the earth! Everything in the non-marine environment depends on freshwater to survive.” -Sandra Postel, “Sandra Postel, Global Water Policy Project,” Grist Magazine 26 Apr 04

For too many times, we have heard of government campaigns for clean water (including the rivers and seas) in the Philippines. Sadly, according to Times, two of the world’s most polluted rivers were found in here in the country, worst, it is found here in Bulacan. They were the rivers of Marilao and Sta. Maria. The last time CURSOR was invited to a journalism seminar- that was Punlaan sa Tag-araw sponsored by PUNLA, one of the oldest running paper here in Bulacan, and was participated by six members, we were informed about the real score between the Bulk water supply project. If you would ever noticed the billboard of Gov. Jon Jon Mendoza downside before the flyover, there is something stated about the said bulk water supply project which is worth 11 Billion pesos to be paid for the company until the year 2017 which was said, the assumed time to finish the project according to Mr. Noel Julao (MWSS representative to Bulacan), though it was still ongoing a decisive process like bidding and some formal negotiations between the MWSS (Manila Water Supply System) and the Bulacan provincial government.

Water… water… water… it is the main source of life.

Everyday when you wake up; you take a bath, you drink clean water, you brush your teeth. So you should know and realize by now how important water is. It is essential as the air that we breathe, but did you ever know where does it came from and where does it goes?

The CURSOR team was fortunate to be invited in a tour- the Bulacan Journalism Lakbayan, in order to know how this vital liquid of life were processed from fresh stream water exposed to waste materials into clean water we could use in a day to day basis.

Our first stop was the La Mesa Dam. This huge dam located in Novaliches, Quezon City is the main container of water coming from Angat dam, and this is the source of 97 percent of water used for the residents of Metro Manila. Only a few people knew that the water of Bulacan is not coming from Angat but in deep wells, although Angat dam is just located here in Norzagaray. It was the history brought upon by Mr. Julao in one of the discussions we were into during lunch. We learned that the 15% of water from Angat that is produced for Metro Manila usage is just a debt from the Bulacan farmers for their fields. Now, the farmers were claiming what they have lend them for years and that’s why MWSS came up to the idea that they could implement the establishment of this project that could be finished nine years from now.

Our second stop is the Balara treatment plant, where the water is filtrated. This place was built in cooperation with the ambassador of China Hoyoshiko Yushita who was a former MWSS founder but since it can't operate rationally due to some technical conflicts in the late company, it was turned to a filtration plant for the residents of Metro Manila. Here the water is chlorinated to be safe for drinking and it is quarterly monitored by the DOH (Department of Health).

After the Balara Filtration Plant, we went to our final destination. We went to the Water Treatment Plant which can be found in the University of the Philippines in Diliman compound. Mr. Nico Goco, one of their staffs, discussed the three approaches they are doing when it comes to water waste treatment. The three approaches are (1) Package Sewerage Treatment System, (2) Septic Tank Emptying and Septic Treatment; and (3) The Community Sanitation Project. Mr. Goco also showed us the actual processing of our waste water turning it to more useful water. The processed water can be used as water in the fish ponds. The Metro Manila Development Authority also used it in watering the plants near the City’s utmost places. After the discussion and some tour inside the plant, we took some pictures of the place as souvenirs. The Manila Water also gave us a certificate for participating in this tour. They also gave us MWSS customized souvenir items like bags, ball pen, notebook, and key chain.

After this fun-filled tour, I realized that like us, water is passing through some stages which made it cleaner and potable. This wonderful tour gave me and the other participants a wonderful experience, knowledge, and of course memories to be cherished.

--Sheila Rose Valenzuela and Mylene Villafuerte--

0 comments: