Batting for clean water

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor CEDELF P. TUPAS Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

Water is life, in fact, it comprises over 70 percent of the earth's surface. However, although it is undoubtedly the most precious natural resource in our planet, we have somehow disregarded it, perhaps because of its abundance.

In areas where there is a dearth of water - and we have quite a number of them in the country - we dread the day when everything there would go dry, unless people realize the importance and value of this compound.

Thus, the launching of the wastewater treatment plant recently in Dumaguete City was a time of jubilation, most especially for those who will directly benefit from the three-million-peso project funded by the city government.

The project aims to treat wastewater coming from the city's fish and meat markets; dry goods stalls; fruit, flower, and vegetable markets; fish terminal; restaurants and carinderias; offices; and the residential and commercial areas, specifically along Colon Extension, Dumaguete.

This is just a nutshell, however, of the total sources of wastewater in the city. This does not include hospitals, other commercial districts, as well as residential areas in the immediate vicinity of the city. While some sectors have frowned upon the idea of locating the wastewater treatment plant in Quezon Park, which is right in the heart of the city, we hope that the objectives of the project will still be realized. With the support of the Local Initiatives for Low-Cost Wastewater Treatment of the USAID, it took the project exactly a month to be finished, and five more months to start its operations.

In the final analysis, it is the health of everyone that is at stake if no effective wastewater systems are implemented so everyone can have clean, reliable drinking water later on. With the wastewater management program that the city government of Dumaguete has implemented, we will be doing our share in dealing with imminent environmental issues.*