THE WARNING is loud and clear: Iloilo must reduce its dependence on deep wells because excessive groundwater extraction could be contributing to the sinking of the land. But before authorities tell households and businesses to stop pumping water from underground, they must answer one fundamental question:
Where will Iloilo get its water?
Marine scientist Dr. Fernando Siringan has warned that continued groundwater extraction could worsen land subsidence while climate change pushes sea levels higher. A study covering 2014 to 2016 recorded subsidence of 8.8 millimeters per year in Barangay San Rafael, Mandurriao and 8.1 mm in Buntatala, Jaro. Subsidence was also detected in adjacent Pavia, Oton and Leganes towns.
A sinking city confronting rising seas and recurring floods is a frightening equation. Yet groundwater is being extracted for a simple reason: people need water.
Thus, the answer cannot simply be “Stop using deep wells.”
It must be: “Here is the alternative.”
Siringan has urged local governments to shift toward more sustainable surface-water sources. That recommendation should trigger concrete action.
Iloilo City and neighboring local government units should seriously consider establishing a metropolitan water-security plan that determines present groundwater extraction, projected water demand, available surface-water sources and the infrastructure required over the next 10 to 20 years.
Government and water utilities should also set a clear timetable for reducing dependence on groundwater, but only as additional surface-water capacity becomes available. Restrictions on deep wells without replacement supply would simply turn an environmental problem into a water crisis.
Corollary to that, authorities should map, register and regularly monitor deep wells and groundwater extraction, particularly in areas where subsidence has been detected. Updated subsidence monitoring is equally necessary. The figures cited by Siringan came from a study covering 2014 to 2016; Iloilo needs to know what is happening beneath its feet today.
Of course, Iloilo must invest in surface-water storage, treatment and distribution infrastructure, while protecting watersheds that replenish these sources. Water security means having enough safe, dependable and affordable water reaching people’s faucets.
Rainwater must also become part of the solution. Siringan proposes detention ponds that can temporarily store water, reduce runoff during heavy rains and potentially provide water during the dry season. Local governments should identify suitable sites and incorporate such facilities into flood-control and land-use planning.
There is bitter irony here: Iloilo can have too much water when it rains and too little dependable water when it does not. Government must therefore stop treating flood control, groundwater extraction and water supply as separate problems. They are parts of the same water-security challenge.
The science has sounded the alarm. Iloilo faces the dangerous convergence of sinking land and rising seas if nothing changes. Yes, reduce dependence on deep wells. But set the targets, map the wells, monitor the sinking, develop surface-water sources, build storage, protect watersheds and guarantee affordable supply.
And above all, ensure that when Ilonggos finally turn off the pumps beneath their feet, water will still flow from their faucets.
That is the real test of water security.
