𝗟𝗔 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗗 𝗠𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗘 ‘𝗘𝗟 𝗡𝗜Ñ𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗬,’ 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗟𝗬

As the town continues to bear the brunt of El Niño, various stakeholders sat down with the municipal government unit and the La Trinidad Water District (LTWD) yesterday, June 10, to strategize initiatives to combat the ongoing and expected dry spell.

To secure our water supply, ensure its fair distribution, and learn how to safely handle the community’s growing needs, LTWD General Manager Engr. Oliver Taule discussed the organization’s current mitigation measures.

This includes:

• Adjustment of pump settings of the Ampasit Deep Well due to dropping water levels

• Reduction of water supply losses due to major leaks, particularly in barangay Ambiong, and a portion of the Km. 5 to Km. 6 of the Halsema Highway

• Rotational water rationing

• Continuous information and education campaigns on water conservation

• 
  

Additionally, Engr. Taule shared a comparative study of the water production of all LTWD-managed 19 deep wells and four springs between the months of 2026 to show the scarcity.

One table showed that Deep Well 9, servicing areas in Buyagan and Poblacion, began the year strong with 29,386 cu.m, then in March, water decreased to 25,644 cu.m.

Jumping to 19,909 cu.m in April with a whopping 5,735 cu.m difference from the prior month, leaving only 17,215 cu.m for May.

This means that apart from the looming effects of climate change, our local aquifers– underground storage tanks of porous rock or sand- have insufficient time to replenish and recover.

All other barangays except Alno, Beckel, and Bineng rely mainly on the LTWD.

Meanwhile, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer, Yoshio Labi, presented the proposed programs of the La Trinidad El Niño Action Plan, comprised of the following:

• Establish an integrated command structure with the LTWD to enforce rotational water distribution

• Procure and install high-capacity communal water tanks in highly vulnerable, elevated and water-scarce barangays

• Conduct Social and Behavior Change Communication on water conservation

• Construction of large-scale rainwater catchment basins in public facilities

• Rehabilitation and improvement of damaged deep wells, springs and other relevant facilities

• Partner with DOST for the usage of groundwater replenishment technology

• Conduct inventory and assessment of water-related facilities

• Craft an ordinance requiring all new commercial buildings and institutional facilities to incorporate Rainwater Harvesting Systems (RWHS) into their blueprints before a Building Permit can be issued. The stored water must utilized for flushing toilets, cleaning, or landscape irrigation.

• 
  

According to the latest DOST-PAGASA issuances, La Trinidad and the entire Benguet Province will face a steep drop in precipitation beginning in October and will rapidly decline into a severe dry spell by December, eventually turning into a full-blown drought in early 2027.

Water delivery stations also weighed in with their suggestions, specifically on securing all necessary permits, prioritizing public health and safety.

Moving forward, Mayor Roderick Awingan stated that the administration will bring these issues to the National Water Resources Board for consultation on current national laws and guidance on monitoring illegal drillings.

He also admitted that the LGU cannot fully solve the current impacts of El Niño immediately, highlighting the need for a whole-of-community approach, calling for the full cooperation of the valley.

Author: 𝘙𝘙. 𝘉𝘢𝘣𝘴𝘢-𝘢𝘺

Original Post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KrX4DjT5m/