This was stressed by Mayor Luis “Jon-Jon” A. Ferrer of General Trias, Cavite during the Water Resources Sustainability Forum last September 1, 2023 at the Audio Visual Room, General Trias City Hall, Cavite. 

The School of Environmental Science and Management-University of the Philippines Los Baños through the Continuing Education and Training Division (CETD) and the Research Division have been invited to coordinate this forum as an initial step towards the development of a collaborative project proposal with the City of General Trias, Cavite. The research and development proposal will assess the city’s water resources and the conduct of a capacity building. 

In his message, Dr. Rico C. Ancog, SESAM Dean, conveyed his gratitude to the City of General Trias, Cavite for collaborating with the academe in this forum to address challenges on water security of the city. He also reiterated that SESAM-UPLB will continue to support the LGU in a possible conduct of a study of its water resources.

Meanwhile, Mayor Ferrer said that the importance of this forum is to invite all stakeholders involved in the management of water resources in his jurisdiction. “We borrowed our water resources from our children and our grandchildren, that is why we should act now to prevent any crisis in the future”, Mayor Ferrer stressed. He also thanked SESAM-UPLB for sending experts in the forum to provide insights and information on water resources.

Engr. Jemie P. Cubillo, City Planning and Development Coordinator, General Trias City discussed the state of the water resources in General Trias City. He tackled the primary sources, major consumers, forecast and future uses.

Dean Ancog discussed understanding water resources depletion through valuation and accounting. SESAM Professors Dr. Patricia Ann J. Sanchez and Dr. Eduardo C. Calzeta lectured on tools and approaches in water quantity and quality assessment and management, and understanding watershed dynamics and climate change vulnerability of water resources, respectively.

Also invited were speakers from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), namely Engr. Divina C. Camarao and For. Riza C. Arjona who discussed water policies and laws in the Philippines.

SESAM University Researchers Dr. Alma Lorelei D. Abejero presented the integrated water resource management, while Ms. Jessa O. Aquino, En.P. explained the mechanics of the world café workshop. Members of SESAM-CETD facilitated the workshop to talk about priority needs and response assessment for effective water resources management of General Trias City. 

About 80 participants including LGU officials and staff, representatives of water concessionaires and homeowners association, and other stakeholders attended the forum. SESAM and the City of General Trias aims to pursue more collaborative project that will follow a more robust academe-LGU collaborative model on key environmental issues.