As part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the city government is urging all golf courses in the Summer Capital to put up their own rainwater harvesting facilities.
The appeal is encapsulated in city council resolution no. 389, series of 2023, signed by Mayor Benjamin Magalong which claimed that golf courses require a significant amount of water to maintain their greens and fairways.
The city is home to several golf courses including at Baguio Country Club, Camp John Hay and Pinewoods. The long-running and prestigious Fil-Am Invitational amateur golf tournament is conducted annually, usually in December, at the Baguio Country Club and Camp John Hay fairways.
“With climate change and water shortages becoming increasingly pressing issues, it is important for golf courses to find ways to use water more efficiently and effectively,” the approved measure stated.
It added: “By capturing and storing rainwater for later use, golf courses can reduce their reliance on irrigation and help conserve water and ensure that their water sourcing strategies are sustainable and secure for long-term use.”
Earlier, the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) chaired by the Mayor approved Baguio’s El Nino Action Plan for 2023 to 2025 during its 3rd Quarter Full Council meeting aimed at mitigating the effects of the weather phenomenon in the city.
According to PAGASA, El Nino increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions that could bring negative impacts like dry spells and droughts in some areas of the country. **Gaby B. Keith