Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and provincial officials led the launching of the bamboo seedling propagation at the Panaad Park in Bacolod City Thursday, in support of the Provincial Integrated Water Security Program in the Malogo River Watershed.
The activity, spearheaded by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, was participated in by Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan members Juvy Pepello, Andrew Montelibano, Pal Guanzon, Miguel Alonso, and Samson Mirhan, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz, Capitol department and office heads, and representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and other government agencies, who were grouped into four clusters and took turns in planting the bamboo propagules.
In his message, Lacson said that as society progress towards globalization and modernization, there is also a greater demand for water from already scarce water resources. The problem of water security is further aggravated by water pollution, water borne diseases, and destruction of watersheds, he added.
“Water security is among the most serious issues our present world is confronted with. At the home front, Negros Occidental is getting vulnerable due to our rapid population growth, urbanization, and water demand,” he said in a press release from the Capitol.
“Today, as we have this bamboo seedling propagation, it is my hope that this activity will be the start of our serious efforts in promoting the planting of bamboo, and will remind us yet again that, without serious and committed intervention, the decline of the state of our environment, including that of our water security, will continue to persist, and inevitably, worsen,” Lacson said.
The OPA said bamboos are great for soil stabilization and erosion control, have high carbon sequestration of up to 12 tons per hectare per year, help prevent flash floods, and a good substitute for wood.
The activity was also in support of the Safe Water Project, that aims to improve water security among communities that face water shortage, by increasing access to supply, sanitation, and sustainable water sources.*
