• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Negros Occidental provincial government sustainable water resource management program got a boost after its two officials have earned international certification from the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education in The Netherlands.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said that SafeWater Program staff members Yana Samson and Helen Rose Espeja completed the short course on “Water Resources Planning under Changing Climate and Environment” with high marks.
As part of the certification requirements, Samson and Espeja presented and defended the Negros Occidental Integrated Water Resources Master Plan before a panel of international experts.
The master plan features updated information on the province’s water resources, current environmental conditions, and climate change projections.
Diaz said the document will serve as a roadmap for future water development projects anchored on science-based planning, climate resilience, and sustainability.
He added that the achievement enhances the provincial government’s capacity to secure the long-term water needs of Negros Occidental.
“This milestone strengthens our capacity to build a water-secure future for every Negrense. Armed with global expertise and a comprehensive master plan, our team is now fully equipped to design and implement water programs that will safeguard our resources for generations to come,” Diaz said.
The SafeWater Program is one of the flagship initiatives of the administration of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson aimed at ensuring accessible, safe, and sustainable water supply for communities across Negros Occidental. | GPB
