Baguio City – In a bid to address water shortage and minimize flooding in the city, DOST-CAR, Local Government Unit (LGU) of Baguio City and the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-ERDB) launched on Monday a project to develop an artificial groundwater recharge facility for the replenishment of aquifers.
The project is one of the components of the Program Boondock: A Mountain Engineering Center Towards Sustainable Infrastructure and Upland Water Security.
From the ₱ 10 million project cost, ₱ 7.5 million will come from the DOST Science for Change Program (S4CP) Niche Centers in the Regions (NICER) for Research and Development and ₱ 2.5M will be the counter part of the city.
DOST-CAR, in close coordination with the Watershed and Water Resources Research, Development and Extension Center (WWRRDEC)—one of the Research Centers of the DENR-ERDB will provide technical assistance and to implement related activities for the efficient implementation and improvement of the project.
The project is seen not only to impact the state of R&D in addressing natural calamities in the region, but also in protecting the lives, livelihoods and natural resources in the Cordilleras as well recognizing the pivotal role of water on regional socio-economic development and environmental preservation. (Christian Robert Sandoval)