A set of indicators to determine the state of the Maasin watershed has been drawn up by the technical working groups of the Tigum-Aganan Watershed Management Board (TAWMB) and the Watershed Water Quality Management.

The 25 output indicators include agricultural yields produced, households, hectares planted and the varieties of trees, and other variables that would gauge the existing conditions in the watershed.

The Maasin watershed, vastly devastated by Typhoon Frank almost fi ve years ago, is the main water source for the Tigum-Aganan areas that include Iloilo City among the towns of Maasin, Cabatuan, Sta. Barbara, Pavia, San Miguel, Leon, and Alimodian.

The Canadian Urban Institute, which assists the groups in the preparation of the State of the Watershed Report (SoWR), said the groups also came up with major expected outcomes based on the existing management plan for the Tigum-Aganan.

These outcomes are abundant clean water, sustainable agriculture/livelihood, disaster-resilient communities and improved governance.

The groups were assisted by experts who underscored the importance of having clear and specifi c indicators.

Gary Wilkins, Canadian Water Management expert, said indicators are needed in watershed management, to help identify gaps, issues, challenges and imperatives.

Wilkins added that the indicators will also help determine the actions to be done, serve as benchmark to determine progress.

Meanwhile, Elmer Mercado, a land use specialist, emphasized the importance of formulating a scorecard as a weighing and scaling system which will tell whether what the watershed boards are effective or not.

The local chief executives of the Tigum-Aganan towns said they were all in one in performing their responsibilities as they acknowledged the mounting concerns, the need for manpower and other resources in addressing environmental diffi culties, especially in mitigating adverse effects of huge calamities like that of Typhoon frank.

CUI Project Manager Benjamin Luz also said they will keep on assisting the watershed boards, especially in fi nishing the framework and completing the SoWR.

He added that when the report is published, he hoped the contents will be disseminated and even parts of some textbooks and included in the curriculum.* PIA

THE NEWS TODAY JUNE 27, 2012 B3

Use re-usable containers for food storage instead of wrapping food in foil or plas-tic wrap. Use rags to wipe up spills instead of paper tow-els.

- Maricar Binay

Fix leaky faucets that can waste thousands of gallons of water each year. Repair or replace old or damaged fi xtures. By re-pairing the leak, you do not only conserve water, but also save on your water bills.

- Wendy Tolentino

Republic Act No. 8041 or the National Water Crisis Act of 1995 hereby dictates the state to adopt urgent and ef-fective measures to address the nationwide water crisis that adversely affected the health and well-being of the population, food production

and industrialization process. Pursuant thereto, the government shall address the issues relevant to the water crisis including, but not limited to, sup-ply, distribution, fi nance, privatization of state-run water facilities, the protection and conservation of watersheds and the waste and pilferage of water, including the serious matter of graft and corruption in all the water agencies.

As the signage indicates, this tree is worth $193,250 or approximately P8.1 million. CHONA GUINTAO

One of its villages, Barangay Lawis, had been waiting for a potable water project that was initiated 10 years ago by then mayor and now vice mayor Simeon Ganzon.

According to Punong Barangay Jephry Samudio, a potable water source is important in their village in order to promote good health among the resi-dents as well as provide ease for the farmers who used to depend on deep wells.

It is common knowledge that water from a deep well is not safe.

To address this need, the Department of Agrarian Reform 6 through the through the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project (ARISP) III launched the Lawis Level

II potable water system.It is one of the four projects of DAR for

the agrarian reform benefi ciaries (ARBs) of Balasan.

The other three are the P29.3 million-worth Maya-Tinguian-Sta Ana road and the fi rst and second phases of the Pani-an-Lawis road worth P8.2 million.

The said projects’ re-cipients are the agrarian reform council members of Timipil composed of Barangays Tingui-an,

Maya, Ipil, Pani-an, and Lawis.According to Dr. Juber Pasco, president

of the farmers’ group Lawis Potable Water Users’ Association, the PWS will not only

BY KAREN V. BERMEJO

Indicators set for Maasin watershed

Balasan’s potable water source

Department of Agrian Reform Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes lead the inauguration of the PWS with Gov. Arthur Defensor Santiago, Mayor Filomeno Ganzon and DAR 6 Regional Director Alexis Arsenal on June 20. CHONA GUINTAO

The Barangay Lawis Potable Water System

facility. CHONA GUINTAO

With the village officials of the Timipil Agrarian Reform Council. CHONA GUINTAO

The PWS will not only bring them comfort but will keep away water-

borne diseases like diarrhea and cholera

The town of Balasan is located in the Fifth District of Iloilo Province and it has a land area of 964.7 hectares.

bring them comfort but will keep away water-borne dis-eases like diarrhea and chol-era.

“Underground water is sometimes con-taminated which could cause water-borne diseases,” he said.

Now that they have their own PWS facil-ity, Dr. Pasco said that even during summer, water source will not be a problem for them anymore.

Dr. Pasco however said that the PWS is also their responsibility.

So, to sustain it, every household will be asked to pay a minimum of P150 per month.

Meanwhile, Mayor Filomeno Ganzon noted the importance of the local govern-ment’s support for the town’s development.

He said, aside from the national govern-ment agencies’ support, “local support is still necessary for the quick realization of the projects.”

“Through the PWS and the new farm-to-market roads, most farmers will now have the chance to improve their way of living and make them more effi cient,” he ended.*