Gamboa Spearheads World Water Day Forum @ People’s House

by James U. Sy Jr. Hon. Councilor Wilson “Jun” C. Gamboa Jr., Chairman of he Bacolod Water Consumers Watch Inc., giving the current status of the distribution of water pumps to the 61 barangays of Bacolod City during the World Water Day Forum last March 22, 2016 at the Bacolod People’s House (James U. Sy Jr./NDB photo). The World Water Day Forum was held by the Bacolod Water Consumers Watch Inc. under the chairmanship of Hon. Councilor Wilson “Jun” C. Gamboa Jr., the only accredited water consumer watchdog in the city, last March 22, 2016 at the 3/F MassKara Hall, People’s House, Bacolod City. World Water Day was set every March 22 by the UN General Assembly on December 22, 1992 and is observed annually with focus on the significance of freshwater and urgency for sustainable managmenet of water resources indicating a specific aspect each year. This year’s theme for the forum was “Better water, better jobs.” Hon. Councilor Wilson “Jun” C. Gamboa Jr., who is also the Chairman of the Committee on Environment and Ecology, gave the wecome message to about 150 attendees from different sectors, among them the water consumers, barangays, associations, businesses, academe, and water utility and related groups. Guest speaker was Engr. Mario Macatangay, General Manager of the Bacolod City Water District (BACIWA). Messages were also given by Antonio Camelo P. Tompar, Chairman of the Mactan Rock Industries, Inc.; Atty. Aida Torre, Chairman of of the Bacolod City Water District (BACIWA); and Ma. Luisa Parroco, General Secretary of the Bacolod Water Consumers Watch Inc. Proxies for Engr. Joan Nathaniel Gerangaya of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and Engr. Belly Aguillon, Bacolod City Engineer also gave messages in their behalf. Councilor gamboa presented the current status of the distribution of water pumps to the 61 barangays of Bacolod City. Hon. Bacolod City Mayor Monico O. Puentevella gave the inspirational message for the forum. Master of Ceremony was Gil Alfredo B. Severino, MA. The forum was very timely because the effects of the el niño is felt all over Bacolod and the Negros Island as wells go dry and water serice is often interrupted in the barangay level. This issue was the primary concern discussed during the open forum. Councilo Gamboa had previously authored City Ordinance No. 08-14-668, April 8, 2014, an ordinance creating ‘Bacolod City Water Supply and Quality Monitoring Council and providing funds therefor.” Another water-centered ordinance that the good councilor had proposedin the Sangguniang Panglungsod is “An ordinance establishing water conservation programs in Bacolod City.” Said ordinance was proposed this March 2016.