Lake Buhi

On one hand, there are the interests of Buhi constituents which Mayor Lacoste publicly declared he would protect by refusing to release water from the lake which would have been used for irrigation of farms in the Rinconada area. On the other, there are the interests of the farmers from  Bato, Nabua, Baao, Bula, Pili and Iriga City whose farm lands are drying up because of the El Nino phenomenon.

Lacoste's position was made clear: no release of water from the lake would be made when the water level is below elevation of 82.30 meters in order to safeguard the numerous fish cages and fish pens in the lake which are the livelihood of many Buhi folk. For when water from the lake runs below the abovementioned level, the fish culture industry of the town is said to be put at risk with huge fishkills.

NIA, however, has argued reasonably also for seeking the release of the lake's water for irrigation. Ragodon stated that the control structure in Lake Buhi that was constructed sometime in the early 1980's under the Bicol River Basin Development Program was intended "to impound its water for irrigation and [for] hydropower generation purposes." In addition, Ragodon has cited Rule I, Sec. 1 of the implementing rules and regulation (IRR) of PD 1067 or the Water Code of the Philippines, which gives priority to irrigation purposes over those of fisheries.

While Mayor Lacoste cannot be faulted in seeking to protect the livelihood of his constituents, NIA's position on the matter has greater merit. Its argument regarding the purpose of the control structure, as well as the priority of irrigation as provided by law supersedes-very sadly enough for the would-be affected people of Buhi-that of Mayor Lacoste's.

In the interest of the common good, therefore, we urge the Buhi LGU to reconsider its stand on the issue and come to terms with NIA. At the same time, we ask the NIA to draw up and implement mitigating measures against the adverse effects that would be brought about due to the lowering of Lake Buhi's water level. Toward this end, an immediate dialogue between these two government offices will prove to be propitious in settling this dispute.

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