In an effort to balance tourism, business while protecting Mother Nature, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority will be hosting the first Subic Bay Water Summit to address one of its natural asset-the waters of Subic Bay.

Subic bay has been subjected to various strains brought about by rapid urbanization and development over the years, Subic Bay Freeport has 12,350 hectares of water body.

“If these stresses continue, we are sure to be left with an unsustainable resource,” SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza warned.

“Of course, we don’t want that to happen because Subic Bay is an all-important natural asset,” he added.

Arreza pointed out that Subic Bay, which forms part of the communal waters of Olongapo City and nearby areas in the provinces of Zambales and Bataan, is now considered a threatened resource due to patches of pollution load caused by the disposal of partially-treated sewage, nutrient inflows from changes in land use, and inadequate treatment of industrial wastes.

“Surprisingly, despite the growing industrialization in the Subic Bay Freeport, the major culprit in the observed decline of water quality at this point is waste from domestic households in the surrounding local communities,” Arreza added, citing studies made in 2006 during the preparation of the free port’s Integrated Coastal Management Plan (ICMP).

Experts said that as the primary selling point for Subic’s development into a center for investment, commerce, industry and tourism, the bay is being stressed by several sources. These include reduction of forest cover, inefficient use of fertilizer and pesticides, burning of grasslands, proliferation of fish cages, and increasing sewage and pollution load from domestic wastes produced by neighboring communities.

The same studies also revealed that pressures from commercial and industrial activities in nearby communities, as well as rapid urbanization of surrounding communities have also increased solid waste generation.

These stresses are exacerbated by limited sewer and wastewater treatment facilities, and lack of waste disposal facilities despite increases in local population.

In view of this, Arreza said the SBMA decided to call for a summit to involve stakeholders in the Subic Bay Freeport area and local communities in improving the water quality of Subic Bay, and keeping the natural environment healthy, productive and sustainable.

“Since Subic Bay is a common resource, every stakeholder has the moral obligation to keep this critical resource sustainable and we hope that the summit would address this very vital concern,” Arreza added.

SBMA Ecology Center manager Amethya dela Llana-Koval, whose department is spearheading the two-day event, said the SBMA seeks to define the current status and issues on the quality of the environment in Subic Bay through the water summit.

It also wants to raise environmental awareness among stakeholders and community groups, and provide them with examples of current best practices in environment and water resource management; identify and prioritize key water issues and action plan for the greater Subic Bay area; and generate commitment among stakeholders towards sustainable use and management of land and water resources

“We hope to move on from general concerns to specific commitments,” Koval explained. “After determining the problem areas, we hope to identify concrete solutions, then move on to specific action plans for key issues.”

Among those expected to join the summit on January 28 and 29 are people’s organizations in Olongapo, Zambales and Bataan; environment officials; heads of local government units; and representatives from Subic business locators, schools, and various SBMA departments.

Sen. Richard Gordon, who served as the first SBMA chairman and administrator, has also been invited to deliver his message to participants of the two-day summit.