NEWSFLASH

CARDINAL THANKS ERAP FOR SAVING CEBU WATERSHEDS

Cebu City, Feb. 7, 2000 President Estrada’s efforts to save the watersheds of Cebu and ensure a reliable source of water to support the southern city’s booming population and economy was cited by Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Archbishop of Cebu.

The Archbishop made the statement at the homily of his 69th birth anniversary mass, which he celebrated at the Cebu Cathedral yesterday morning.

"I thank President Estrada for his gift to me and the Cebuanos today, which is his promise to take care of our watersheds," the Cardinal said during the mass attended by President Estrada.

The Chief Executive pledged last Saturday night P10 million for the formulation of a development and management master plan for central Cebu's watersheds. The watersheds which have been reported to be critically denuded are in Mananga, Kotkot, and Lusaran.

Mr. Estrada vowed support for the resolution of the group Cebu Uniting for Sustainable Water (CUSW) stressing environmental protection.

During a dialogue with environmentalists, media, local officials of Cebu and Central Visayas and the business sector, the President promised to certify as urgent the bill creating the Metro Cebu Water Resources Authority, authored by Rep. Eduardo Gullas and Sen. John Osmeña.

Pending approval of the proposed legislation, the President said he will immediately create a Cebu water resources commission.

Mr. Estrada's espousal of the cause of water conservation in Cebu is considered a breakthrough for the water conservation movement.