This year’s WWD theme is “Water and Wastewater,” as the UN calls for us to reduce and reuse wastewater. The Metropolitan Naga Water District (MNWD) celebrates World Water Day 2017 with a three-day exhibit, which runs from March 20-22, 2017 at SM City Naga. It features art works of students from various schools surrounding the Mt. Isarog Natural Park (MINP) as part of its public awareness campaign for the rehabilitation and conservation of the MINP watershed during the poster making, photowalk, and video making contests held last year. The exhibit also features photos and data about the MINP, the last complete rainforest in the Bicol Region.

The WWD exhibit opened with a program on Monday afternoon, March 20, at the SM City Naga Event Center. MOA Partners in the Watershed Development Program for the protection, rehabilitation, and conservation of the MINP were the main guests of the opening ceremonies.

MNWD Board Chairman Jorge T. Palma welcomed the guests and gave an overview of the program status and to reinforce his updates, an audio-video presentation on the activities, accomplishments, and partnerships of the MNWD Watershed Development Program was shown on the big screen.

Naga City Mayor John G. Bongat, in full support of the water district’s activity, expressed his wish that one day there will be no more need to be reminded of how important water is in our lives and his thoughts on the importance of saving and conserving the MINP for the next generations in his message before the inspired audience.

Recognized during the program were the MNWD retirees present to celebrate with the rest of the employees who were there in the exhibit venue, namely, Joseph Pastor Gallardo, Lolita Belen, Antonio V. Luna, Ennis Manuel Sauza, and Jaime Nellasca. Their solidarity message for the watershed program was read.

Pinning of commitments on the Unity Rope, which symbolizes the unity of all partners working together for the conservation, management, and protection of MINP, with representatives of the different partner agencies, organizations, and stakeholders was the highlights of the affair.

The Mariners Polytechnic College Band and Majorettes and the Isarog Concord Chorale of the Naga View Adventist College provided the intermission numbers.

Tagged Yellow, the key players, on the Unity Rope are the following: Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), MNWD, LGU Naga, and LGU Pili.

Tagged Red, meaning they are those who already have contributions and accomplishments with regards to the MINP, among the partners are: Office of the Vice President (OVP), Department of Agriculture (DA), 3rd District Representative, Cong. Gabriel H. Bordado, LGU Ocampo, PNP-Naga City, Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Kapisanan ng Mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP), SM City Naga, Bicol Habitat for Humanity Foundation, Plan International Bicol, Rotary Club of Naga, NICC Doctors Hospital, Bicol Access Health Center, St. John Hospital, Avenue Square, Sakkat Kadlagan Outdoor Shop, CBSUA, BISCAST, Naga View Adventist College, Mariners Polytechnic Colleges Foundation, Ateneo de Naga University, University of Nueva Caceres, and Partido State University.

Tagged Blue, meaning they are in the program, committed, and ready to come up with their contributions: 4th district Representative, Cong. Noli Fuentebella; Bicol Medical Center; Partido Development Administration; Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI); Camarines Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CSCCI), Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCCI); Department of Tourism (DOT); Bicol Regional Tourism Council (BRTC); National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP); Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Ocampo Water System Inc.; Pili Water District; and Calabanga Water District.

Tagged White, the future partners, are the following: PNP-Regional Office V; PNP-Camarines Sur Provincial Office; Land Bank of the Philippines; Development Bank of the Philippines; Philippine Postal Bank Inc; Union Bank; Sogo Hotel; Mother Seton Hospital; Coca Cola Femsa; Villa Caceres Hotel; Pepsi Cola Products Philippines Inc; Sampaguita Tourist Inn.

Noted officials who joined the opening of the WWD program were Naga Chief-of-Police Senior Supt. Julius Muñez and Region V PNP Regional Director Police Chief Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe; Ms. Jam Madrid from Philippine Information Agency (PIA); Mr. Fred Perdon of Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI); Mr. Armando Omolida, Protected Area Superintendent of DENR; Mr. Romar Vasquez, KBP Camarines Sur Chapter President; other members of the media; and other representatives of the District’s partner agencies.

Yellow, Red, Blue, White. The various agencies posing with the Unity Rope which symbolizes the unity of all the partner agencies working together to conserve, manage, and protect the Mt. Isarog Natural Park

Start ‘em young. Families and students visiting the World Water Day Exhibit at the SM City Naga Event Center.

Never-ending support for the District. Former General Manager Cesar H. Federizon visiting the exhibit.