BOHOL Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado stepped into the water conflict between the towns of Sevilla and Balilihan in order to reach a peaceful resolution where everyone gets to have safe drinking water while at the same time the right of the local government is respected in the implementation of national government projects.
Gov. Aris has talked personally to Mayor Juliet Dano of Sevilla and Mayor Pureza Chatto of Balilihan on separate occasions to de-escalate the situation after LGU Sevilla removed the submersible pump and other components constructed over Bugwak Spring at Magsayay, Sevilla on June 9.
After two separate meetings called by the Governor on June 12 and 13 with concerned national government agencies and key capitol officials but separately attended by the two local government units, the following transpired:
1. Mayor Dano reiterated that they recognize Bugwak Spring is a natural resource that belongs to the State and should be shared to qualified permittees.
2. LGU-Sevilla will not object to the restoration of the submersible pump and other components provided LGU-Balilihan will reapply for a water permit with the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) indicating that its source, Bugwak Spring, is located at Magsaysay, Sevilla, Bohol;
3. It was informed that at the ocular inspection at Bugwak Spring that morning of June 13, where all parties were represented, LGU-Balilihan is amendable that the spring is located at Magsaysay, Sevilla.
4. The Provincial Government of Bohol is willing to facilitate the restoration of the submersible pump.
5. In the meantime, LGU-Sevilla offered that water from Bugwak Spring can be provided to Balilihan through the existing old water connection and a new mother meter will be installed at the Sevilla side.
6. The proposed signing of agreement between LGU-Sevilla and LGU-Balilihan with the Provincial Government, and the proposed activities to be done as a result of May 23 meeting, will be pursued.
7. A forum will be conducted in Sevilla attended by the national government agencies concerned and the provincial government to explain the issues surrounding Bugwak Spring.
It will be recalled that DENR Undersecretary Analiza Rebuelta-Teh presided over a consultative dialogue on May 23, 2023 at Panglao Blue Waters Resort in a bid for the two LGUs to reach an amicable agreement in view of Sevilla’s protest against Balilihan’s project at Bugwak Spring.
The dialogue was also attended by the Regional Directors of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), their respective provincial directors or district officials, the Provincial Government represented by the Provincial Legal Officer, and the Mayors and local officials of Sevilla and Balilihan.
In that consultative dialogue, the following activities were proposed to be done to be embodied in a Memorandum of Agreement by the parties:
1. DENR with the Provincial Government of Bohol, DILG and DPWH will conduct a joint ocular inspection of the structure which provides water supply to households of LGU Balilihan from Bugwak Spring;
2. Installation of a water supply project for LGU Sevilla at Bugwak Spring through the assistance to be obtained by DPWH to provide additional water supply to LGU Sevilla;
3. NWRB will provide assistance to LGU Sevilla in applying for a Water Permit for this additional water supply;
4. The Local Government Units (LGUs) of Sevilla and Balilihan will cooperate and work together to maintain water quality in the mouth of Bugwak Spring;
5. DENR with the Provincial Government of Bohol, DILG, and DPWH will support LGU Sevilla in formulating its Master Plan for Water Resources Management towards water security, climate and disaster resilience; and
6. DILG and the Provincial Government of Bohol will ensure partnership/collaboration among LGUs.
Power and water are the two flagship development agenda of Gov. Aumentado when he ran for office and he desires for local government units and private investors to have a peaceful co-existence when it comes to the utilization of water resources. (PR)
