Sec Loyzaga:
Invest in rainwater collection
DENR, SM Prime calls on cities to innovate and
invest in water-saving technologies to avert water crisis
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and SM Prime
Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), one of the leading real estate developers in
Southeast Asia, recently called on local public officials
to avoid the extraction of groundwater and, instead, invest in rainwater
collection for recycling and impoundment, as well as explore new technologies
such as modular desalination and modular sewage treatment plants, to manage the
effects of climate change on the country’s water resources.
At the multi-stakeholder forum, “Towards a
Greener Footprint”, in Iloilo City recently, Environment Secretary Maria
Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga shared solutions-focused guidelines to help the local
government reduce carbon footprint, with emphasis on water conservation to
address the looming water crisis and increase access to safe water and
sanitation.
“We need to invest in the appropriate
engineering and infrastructure to deliver water from the source,” Secretary
Loyzaga said. “We must avoid, if not reduce drastically, the extraction of
groundwater which in low-lying coastal areas causes subsidence and increases
flooding.”
“Rainwater catchments will not only provide
additional supply for household use but will also help ensure the availability
of surface water through the maintenance of watershed cover when impounded,”
Secretary Loyzaga said.
Based on the latest report of
the Philippine Statistics Authority, water abstracted for own use increased from 215.2 billion
cubic meters (bcm) in
2020 to 217.8 bcm in
2021 countrywide. From 2010 to 2021, the largest amount of self-abstracted water is for the power sector
(58.7%). This was
followed by agriculture (33.5%); mining and quarrying, manufacturing, and construction
(5.3%); and services
sector and households (2.6%).
Earlier this month, the DENR said the country still
has enough water supply, but proper management is needed to prevent a possible
water crisis by the end of the year.
The call was met with a resounding response from the private sector,
particularly, SM Prime. In the same
forum, SM Supermalls Vice President for Corporate Compliance Engr. Liza B.
Silerio shared how SM Prime has stepped
up the sustainability programs that it has been doing since SM Supermalls
started recycling water in the 1990s.
From rainwater catchment to help deter flooding in communities where its
malls are located, SM Prime also pioneered the mall-based rainwater filtration
system that converts the collected rainwater to be potable enough for washing,
cleaning and even drinking. Launched at SM
City Baguio, the facility will supply mall tenants with enough potable water to
help reduce sourcing from the communities’ water table.
“As an integrated property developer, we
have seen the first-hand effects of natural hazards that are caused by the
change in weather patterns in the Philippines,” Engr. Silerio explained. “El
Nino and La Nina are two phenomena resulting from climate change. Our country
ranks number one in the World Risk Index 2022 report as the most vulnerable
among 193 nations.”
Faced with this challenge, Engr. Silerio
shared that SM Prime will continue to find innovative ways to address the
climate challenges. “We continue to evolve and adapt technology to improve our
resource consumption as part of our climate action,” she concluded.
Comments
Post a Comment