USAID BE SECURE COMMITTED TO ZAMBO PROJECT

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Participants to the one – day round table discussion on Zamboanga City’s Response to the impacts of El Niño and Climate Change with USAID Mission Director Dr. Susan K. Brems (Photo Credit: L. Wee sit)
Participants to the one – day round table discussion on Zamboanga City’s Response to the impacts of El Niño and Climate Change with USAID Mission Director Dr. Susan K. Brems (Photo Credit: L. Wee sit)

The U.S. Embassy Manila’s United States Agency for International Development (USAID) the primary arm of the United States government charged with extending foreign aid, is committed to seeing its projects here in Zamboanga City through.

This was the gist of a short message delivered by Dr. Susan K. Brems, Mission Director of USAID Philippines last March 15, 2016 at the Teodoro Araneta Training Center of the Zamboanga City Water District in Pasonanca.

The top USAID official was in the city for a roundtable discussion with top ZCWD officials, city officials and USAID officials on the city’s response to the impact of ‘El Niño’ and climate change.

Dr. Brems said she wanted to come and see Zamboanga City for herself citing the importance of familiarizing herself with engaged partners of USAID projects.

Tops in the project priority list is the engagement of USAID in several key projects with ZCWD like the site location plan for a proposed water impounding dam, the rehabilitation of the water utility firm’s old 20 MLD (million liters per day) capacity reservoir and the proposed expansion and rehabilitation of the city’s Waste Treatment Plant.

ZCWD Chairperson Edwin M. Caliolio expressed the firm’s gratitude for the continued help extended by USAID.

He cited the long history of USAID’s engagement with the local water firm in its vision of expanding and improving water service to the city.

A comprehensive briefing by ZCWD and a response from the city government were presented to Dr. Brems as the current water supply and environmental impact of the crippling El Niño was detailed out for the top USAID official.

Also with Dr. Brems was Ms. Mona Grieser Chief of Party of the USAID Water Security for Resilient Economic Growth and Stability (Be Secure) Project, and other staff, Ms. Elisea “Bebet” Gozun, Climate Resiliency Team Leader and Engr. Demosthenes Redoble, Technical Specialist.

The water district host contingent was composed of Assistant General Managers Arnulfo A. Alfonso of the Technical Services Group and Alejo S. Rojas Jr. of the Operations group along with Vice Chairperson Jose Vicente F. Atilano III, Secretary Esther G. Orendain and Dir. Milagros Fernandez along with top managers of the various units.

The City government was ably represented by Dr. Ed Bisquerra of the City OCNR, City Planning Chief Jojo Sicat and Joy Suico of the ZCDRRMO.

The roundtable discussion was followed by a brief walk though inspection of the ZCWD water treatment facilities by Dr. Brems and party conducted by AGM Rojas. (Ed D. Baños-CREAS ZCWD)