Protecting, conserving, managing, and sustaining the 664 hectares of precious watershed located at the Mt. Isarog Natural Park (MINP) in Panicuason, Naga City is one of priority programs of the Metropolitan Naga Water District (MNWD). The watershed is under joint management of the MNWD and LGU Naga.

Knowing that this program can never be successful without the help of the stakeholders and the community, the MNWD forged partnerships with agencies, both government and private, and the civil society, to realize the aim of ensuring the supply of potable water for the future generations.

It started with 5 partners in the late 90’s to 30 at present. Board Chairman Jorge T. Palma vowed to have a total of 40 partners by the end of the year. “It has to be a concerted effort of all stakeholders not only of the water district alone. We have to further intensify our efforts in protecting, managing, and sustaining our watershed. ” he said. Thus, the partnerships with multi-agencies for the MINP’s welfare.

On Monday, August 7, 2017, Mayor John G. Bongat, representing LGU Naga City, Naga City Police Office Acting City Director, PSSupt Jonathan O. Panganiban, Mr. Jorge T. Palma representing the PNP Advisory Council and AGM Virginia I. Nero, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) of cooperation in protecting, managing, and conserving the MINP. The event was held at the Board Room on the second floor of the water district building in the presence of City Hall Officials, PNP Personnel, MNWD staff and the MNWD Board of Directors.

In his speech, Mayor Bongat lauded the MNWD for its various projects to ensure the protection of the MINP. Protecting the MINP is protecting Naga City, “It is a rare privilege for MNWD to be able to tap ground water sources since we don’t have the luxury of surface water as source of potable water, hence, we need to sustain these programs with continuous and well-planned steps,” he said.

Furthermore, Mayor Bongat said we have to look into how to tap the water flowing from Mt. Isarog to the rivers and streams for agricultural purposes. He concluded that we also have “to educate the public in a judicious and continuous manner on how to save and use water wisely.”

MOA Signing. (Left to Right) MNWD Board Chairman Jorge T. Palma, Naga City Mayor John G. Bongat, NCPO Acting City Director, PSSupt Jonathan O. Panganiban and PSupt Venerando F. Ramirez.

(Right to Left) MNWD Acting General Manager Virginia I. Nero, MBTC Branch Head Glenn P. Abiog and Mr. Mohammad Sahlik Geray of Islamic Education Foundation Inc.

(Left to Right) Naga City Administrator Florencio T. Mongoso, Jr. and MNCCI President Gilbert Albero during the MOA signing for Mt. Isarog Natural Park (MINP) Conservation Program at MNWD Board Room on August 8, 2017.

Go for One Goal. (Left to right, seated) MNWD Board of Directors, Mr. Adolfo L. Olivan, Ms. Monina Lily A. Claveria, MNWD Board Chair Jorge T. Palma, Naga City Mayor John G. Bongat, NCPO Acting City Director, PSSupt Jonathan O. Panganiban and PSupt. Venerando F. Ramirez. (Left to right, standing) Mr. Jamil Enguero, MNWD Engineering and Planning Division Manager Virgilio I. Luansing, Mr. Mohammad Sahlik Geray of Islamic Education Foundation Inc, MNWD Board of Director, Dr. Marilissa J. Ampuan, MBTC Branch Head Glenn P. Abiog, MNWD Acting General Manager Virginia I. Nero, City Administrator Florencio T. Mongoso, Jr., MNWD Water Section Officials, Engr. Gilbert Eleazar and Mr. Aniceto Vicente Rubio, MNWD PR Consultant Sarah Imperial and ABS-CBN correspondent Rona Jane Nuñez.