Philouise’s Weblog

“International Day of  Waters”

Philian Weygan (March 22, 2009)

“Water, water, every where,
And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water, every where,
Nor any drop to drink. “

(The Rime of the Ancient Mariner)

When water becomes the topic, the spectrum seems endless. March 22 is the UN designated “World Water Day” and it is to draw attention to the condition of the water situation worldwide. As of the latest there are more than 1 billion people worldwide who lack clean, safe drinking water and more that 2.6 billion lack adequate sanitation services. The issue of the access and equity over water is not only a community but also a global advocacy. Having worked among the tribes in the Cordillera and the Himalayas, water is a real concern. We experienced drinking fresh spring water yet at times this is not easily accessible to the villages. The infrastructure is not there and sometimes the village folks walk miles to reach the spring. Likewise, in the city, water is rationed and we get it thrice a week, unless you have a tank or “agtotoon nga balde” you run out of water by the time BWD open the water valves. Water is free but the delivery service is costly.

There are several international organizations concerned about water including International Rivers, my first contact with them when I was the executive director of Upland Development Institute. One of the new concerns of International Rivers and partners is the Mekong River and has formed the “Save the Mekong” coalition, a network of organizations and individuals who share a concern of the Mekong River. The governments of Laos, Cambodia and Thailand have plans to build 11 dams and the coalition is working to protect river, resources and people’s livelihood and seeking alternative ways to meet energy and water needs. Likewise, Patagonian River Coalition is asking for support to stop the damming of Chile’s Baker and Pascua Rivers in Patagonia. This month there will be several activities staged in many countries during the World Water Day.

Last Sunday afternoon we visited the burned down market. Finally it was easier to walk around as the debris was cleared away. Talked to some friends and they were just barely scraping to start all over again. They appreciate the Manila Bulletin giving out tents for them to use in the interim while they wait on the city’s decision on the reconstruction. Based on what they know “City Hall is trying to form a team to renegotiate with UNIWIDE” some say “City will build” and other similar comments. Recalling the night of the fire one friend said “Sinabi ko sa bombero totok sa taas, pero naubosan na siya ng tubig” the other one said “Umay da piman dagiti bombero ngem naawanan da met ti danum kasatno ngay nga mapatay da didyay apoy.” Many of the store owners were not able to save their goods in time “wala talaga kaming nailabas.”

On the lighter side of things, last May 2008, the Vietnam National Puppetry Theater of Hanoi, Vietnam visited the Philippines and presented in various occasions in Metro Manila including a show at the Bustos Dam in Bulacan. This visit coincided with the UNESCO World Cultural Diversity and Development Day as part of the cultural agreement between the Philippines and Vietnam. The presentations were display of a unique Asian Art form where puppets with the water activating it and hiding the manipulating devices brought human scenes and stories.

It cannot be helped but to assess the way human treat the environment when it comes to water. Maximization yet continually remembering that water does not reproduce itself, God made it that way and man is tasked as a steward of the earth as it is shared by other creatures – fauna and flora, man and beast – for a harmonious co-existence.

“Farewell, farewell! But this I tell
To thee, thou Wedding-Guest !
He prayeth well, who loveth well
Both man and bird and beast.

He prayeth best, who loveth best
All things both great and small;
For the dear God who loveth us,
He made and loveth all.” (Samuel Taylor Coleridge)