The Cebu City Council is聽 proposing the creation of a water resources regulatory board to manage and regulate extraction of groundwater and surface water for commercial use.
A draft ordinance is pending with the聽 committee on laws for review.
The sponsors, Councilors Noel Wenceslao and Augustus Pe Jr., also want the board to represent the city in the adjudication of water rights/permit applications before the National Water Resources Board.
This will聽 ensure 鈥渙ptimum use and control鈥� of water resources to meet present and future needs of Cebu City.
The proposed board聽 will focus on regulating the use,聽 exploitation, conservation and protection of water resources in Cebu City.
While the NWRB serve聽 as the water regulatory body of the country, the Local Government Code also empowers the Sanggunian to pass measures to ensure聽 delivery of basic services and to protect its resources.
The sponsors聽 noted that water demand聽 increases as the population in the city grows.
The board will review applications for聽 water rights, development plans and groundwater extraction among others.
It will also recommend to the council general policies for the protection of the city鈥檚 water resources./Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac