Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the city government is expecting an extended El Niño until June of this year and is preparing for the worst as he disclosed that water pressure in the Summer Capital is decreasing.
According to a PAGASA website, El Niño increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, which could bring negative impacts (such as dry spells and droughts) in some parts of the country.
Magalong urged the public to practice water conservation in their homes as city officials collaborate with Baguio Water District (BWD) representatives on an almost weekly basis to formulate additional water conservation measures.
Being considered, the Mayor said, is requesting local car wash establishments to use only the right amount of water to clean vehicles including those with gardens to do the same when watering their plants to prevent wastage of the precious resource.
Magalong also disclosed that the city government is waiting to be deputized by the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) so that it can implement the closure of illegal deepwells that cause the over extraction of groundwater especially at the city’s watersheds.
During recent visits to the Buyog and Busol watersheds, the Mayor observed that trees in these areas seemed to have lost their ‘vitality’ and when he consulted with an urban forestry expert on the matter, the latter confirmed that the over extraction of groundwater contributes to the problem. Baguio City PIO
