Provincial Water Summit…
by Cristy O. Saplot
 
…a gateway to a Comprehensive 3-year Provincial Water Development Plan

Governor Loreto Leo Ocampos firmly believes that Water Development Projects must be well addressed and prioritized to truly answer many of the Misamisnons’ long need of potable water, and to answer the need for irrigation support which is basic for agricultural development.
 
In order to lay down the plan of actions towards this development, Governor Ocampos will soon call for a Provincial Water Summit which will be participated by all local chief executives, coastal barangay captain and other stakeholders.
 
The Comprehensive Water System Development Plan shall be divided into four (4) components namely: Potable Water, Irrigation, Fishpond Development, and Administration.
 
The Potable Water Component will be intensified by the purchase of additional two (2) drilling machines to complement the first two which were granted by (Philippine-Australia Local Sustainability (PALS) Program. The purchase of the additional two drilling machines will help accommodate the more than 100 areas waiting to be drilled for water source.
 
The Irrigation Component will be maximized by the soon-to-be implemented Balikatan Sagip Patubig Program (BSSP) of the Department of Agriculture through the National Irrigation Administration or NIA.
 
The Fishpond Component will be intensified by the Provincial Government's plan of putting up a Fishpond in all Elementary and High Schools in the whole province. With the assistance of NAFC, Governor Ocampos intends to put up one (1) fish cage peer coastline kilometer. The supply of fingerlings in these two projects will be provided by the Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park (MOAP) Hatchery.
 
Governor Ocampos stressed that the installation of this fish cages will provide collateral benefit by serving as outposts against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front or MILF that might be lurking around, and the recurring rampant dynamite fishing.
 
The Governor hopes that after the summit, all development plans will be in fine tune for thorough implementation of the programs which are geared towards real development.