The Department of Environment and Natural Resources –Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-PENRO) Negros Occidental were delighted to finally turn-over the newly constructed Small Water Impounding Structure (SWIS) to the three Community ENR Offices jurisdiction, namely: Bago City, Cadiz City and Kabankalan City.

During the ribbon cutting of CENRO Bago City SWIS in Barangay Canlusong, EB Magalona, together with the United Canlusong for Upland Reforestation and Development (UCURD) last August 5, 2022, OIC-PENR Officer Joan Nathaniel F. Gerangaya underscorred the importance of taking good care of all the resources especially the water impounding facility which will continuously provide potable water supply to the community.

 Meanwhile, CENRO Kabankalan and the People’s Organization of Camindangan Planters and Farm Workers Association (CAPFWA) were also happy with the completion of the SWIS project on August 31, 2022.

“Local folks are beside themselves with joy upon seeing water gushing out of the SWIS, while kids are more than happy they no longer need to walk two kilometers just to fetch water,” Richard Vallota, CAPFWA Chairman said in vernacular.

In CENRO Cadiz City the SWIS project is located at Sitio Pacol, Brgy. Celestino Villacin, Cadiz City with Brgy. Celestino Villacin Vegetables Farmers Association as PO partner.

The 50 cubic meter SWIS’ primary purpose is to address the water supply needs of the nearby communities and to be used for the effective management, maintenance and protection of the Enhanced National Greening Program (eNGP) in the area.

SWIS is a water harvesting and storage structure consisting of an earth embankment spillway, outlet works and canal facilities. It is designed for soil and water conservation and flood control by holding as much water as possible during the rainy season.

Indeed, dreams do come true! For those communities in Kabankalan, Cadiz and Bago, their new water supply is a source of inspiration to really take good care of their natural resources.