ISU, SWIM address Batanes' water supply issues
THE Smart Water Infrastructure and Management (SWIM) Research and Development (R&D) Center said the population and climate have been putting great pressure on water sustainability for crop production, energy generation and domestic supply. As a response, the center and the Isabela State University (ISU) crafted a Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan (CWRMP) for the province of Batanes.
SWIM noted the growing interest «in assessing water resources in consideration of socioeconomic factors, increasing demands from various sectors, expansion of irrigation services and the effect of climate change.»
ISU President Ricmar Aquino said that the long-term strategic document that the Isabela province-based university turned over «outlined the management of the Batanes province water resources.»
The turnover of the CWRMP to the province of Batanes. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOIn April 2024, ISU and SWIM R&D Center formally transferred the CWRMP through the Municipality of Basco at the Batanes State College (BSC) Academic Management Building. The turnover was attended by Aquino, BSC President Djovi Durante, Basco Municipal Mayor German Caccam, and Marita Canapi, Commission on Higher Education commissioner and chairman of the ISU Board of Regents.
The CWRMP considered «current and future water demands, water supply sources and the infrastructure needed to meet the demands,» Aquino said. It also addressed various issues related to water resource management such as assessment of water resources, water demand and use, water allocation, water supply and distribution, watershed management, flood and drought management, environmental protection and integrated water resources management.
After the assessments, the management plan also presented a newly developed comprehensive water resources assessment framework that will serve as a basis for the designs and implementation of water-related projects and interventions in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley).
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