Lake Buhi

Editor
Monday, March 1st, 2010

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The dispute between the local government of Buhi, headed by Mayor Rey Lacoste, and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Bicol under Director William Ragodon over the water resource provided by Lake Buhi is a cause for concern since peoples' livelihoods are endangered in whichever course of action would be taken.

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.

Comments

LAKE BUHI

AS OF NOW THE "EL NINO " IS ALREADY AFFECTED MY HOMETOWN BUHI. iT IS ALSO A GREAT NECCESITY OF MY TOWN FOR UTILISING,PROTECTING AND PRESERVING THE WATER LEVEL OF MY ONLY BUHI LAKE. IT IS ALSO A BURDEN TO MY PLACE WHERE THE EXIT WATER FROM BUHI LAKE RUN THROUGH PITO RIVER ARE NOW AT LOW LEVEL WHICH ALSO AFFECT THE NEAREST IRRIGATED LAND IN OUR NEIGHBORING TOWN OF IRIGA CITY ,BATO,NABUA,BAAO,BULA AND PILI.EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A GREAT ADVANTAGE AND DISADVANTAGES REGARDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS NIA FLOOD CONTROL DAM WHICH THERE IS A RULES THAT THEY HAVE SIGNED FOR THIS CONSTRUCTION OF BOTH PARTIES THAT THE MAIN AIM OF THIS EDIFICE IS FOR IRRIGATION AND FOR HYDRO ELECTRIC PLANT PURPOSES. I THINK THEY MUST ALSO CONSIDER AND SUPERCEDE THE NECESSITY OF THE WHOLE BUHINON REGARDING THE PROTECTION AND WELFARE OF THE FISH CAGE INSTALLED AT THE LAKE BEACAUSE THAT IS ONLY THE INCOME OF THE SMALL FISHERMAN TO SURVIVE AND TO SATISFY THE NEED OF THE BUHINIANS AND OTHER NEIGHBORING TOWNS AND EVEN METRO MANILA FOR DISPERSING THIS TILAPIA PRODUCTION.OUR MAYOR HAS THE FIRST RIGHT IN SAFEGUARDING THE WATER LEVEL OF THE LAKE IN PARTICULAR.THE FIRST PRIORITY IS MAINTAINING THE WATERLEVEL REQUIREMENT FOR THE BUHI LAKE. IF THERE IS AN EXTRA AMOUNT OF WATER LEVEL NOT NEEDED, I THINK WE CAN SUGGEST TO OUR TOWN MAYOR REY P. LACOSTE TO SHARE THE EXTRA FLOW FOR THE SATISFACTION OF THE NEIGHBORING BARANGAY WHERE MY PLACE IN SITIO PITO ARE ALSO AFFECTED AS WELL AS THE IRRIGATED LANDS OF OTHER TOWNS WHICH THERE ONLY SUPPLY OF WATER DEPEND ON THE WATER DEPOSIT TO MY BELOVED BUHI LAKE.DIOS MABALOS!!!
Submitted by wilfredoibarlin on Sat, 27/03/2010 - 16:52.

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