Every 22nd Day of March, World Water Day is being celebrated. This 2022, the theme is “Groundwater: Making the Invisible Visible”. It is said that groundwater is an invisible resource with serious impact visible everywhere. Groundwater is water found underground in aquifers, which are geological formations of rocks, sands and gravels that hold substantial quantities of water. This environmental event gives importance to the fresh water which raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. It is likewise taking action to respond to the global water crisis. Accordingly, the core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.
In Baguio City and La Trinidad, water sources are declining during this summer due to the dwindling yield from underground sources. Scarcity of rain during this times might cause temporary water shortage, since the city and La Trinidad, Benguet significantly rely on groundwater as the primary source. To address this, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO)-Baguio in close coordination with the Local Government of Baguio, specifically the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO), Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) and together with some support from private institutions such as the Sta. Lucia Realty & Development Incorporated and Shop Live Eco.Ph who are pro environments with a plan to build groundwater-resilient community pursued awareness ride or “Ipadyak Para Sa Tubig Bukal” ride this March 22, 2022.
The activity was participated by riders and/or bikers of the City of Baguio and from nearby municipalities such as La Trinidad, Tuba and Itogon, Benguet wherein more or less 150 have participated including some of the organizers of the said activity. The route was from Wright Park, Lualhati to the City Limit of Baguio-Ampucao, Itogon which ended at Melvin Jones, Baguio City. During the activity, OIC, CENR Officer Leandro L. De Jesus, PENR Officer Edgardo S. Flor and Regional Executive Director Engr. Ralph C. Pablo actively participated. Dir. Pablo likewise took the opportunity to reiterate the importance of trees in the restoration of clean and safe groundwater and that such water resources are equally important as rivers, springs and falls.
“May our united efforts demonstrated by this Padyak para sa Tubig Bukal activity, be the beginning of a strong partnership to maintain and preserve this very important resource from which we all depend. Let us continue educating ourselves as our necessary arm in our collective desire for a steady, abundant and safe groundwater supply,” said Engr. Ralph Pablo.
