PPP essential in sustaining the ‘Save the Buhisan Watershed’ project in Cebu

PPP essential in sustaining the ‘Save the Buhisan Watershed’ project in Cebu
In celebration of World Water Day tomorrow, Buhisan donors’ forum setBy Fayette C. Rinen
Philippine Information Agency-Region 7
March 21, 2011

CEBU CITY, MAR 21 (PIA) - In celebration of the World Water Day tomorrow, March 22, public-private partnership (PPP) is highlighted in sustaining the ‘Save the Buhisan Watershed’ Project launched three years ago as part of Cebu’s environmental response to the United Nations’(UN) Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

The project, now on its third year is sustained through multi-stakeholder partnerships. To date around P5.6M worth of projects at the watershed site was implemented with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and its partners working with some 20 partner-donors to collectively mobilize the funding to support the various projects, according to PBSP.

These projects include sustainable livelihood and enterprise development support for poor communities, water and sanitation, environment protection and rehabilitation initiatives like reforestation and eco-cultural tourism development.

The PBSP with the support of the Metro Cebu Water District, Cebu Uniting for Sustainable Water and the Cebu City Government has studiously worked for the involvement of the business sector in the development of Metro Cebu, the PBSP stated.

The ‘Save the Buhisan Watershed’ Project, spearheaded by Lexmark International Philippines, Inc. and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation is the business sector’s contribution to achieve the MDG on poverty reduction, this is learned.

Sustaining the Buhisan Watershed is critical as this is one of the two sources of surface water tapped by the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) for distribution to households and industries in Cebu City.

In celebration of the World Water Day tomorrow and the 100th anniversary of the Buhisan Reservoir, a Buhisan Donor’s Forum is slated in the morning at the site to give recognition to 20 donors that have made the project goals in the watershed possible.

Tomorrow’s event will also highlight the inauguration of four projects as accomplishments of the "Save Buhisan Watershed" project namely the 1st bay Buhisan Watershed and Forest Reserve Nature Center; Two-Pond Storm Water Catchment System; Central Nursery of Indigenous Tree Seedlings and Butterfly Sanctuary. (PIA-Cebu/FCR)