INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Water is our ancestors. Water is the key to our future. We cannot survive without it, and there are
no options. Many people have compared the issue of water scarcity to the current state of the economy.
The global scarcity of usable water is a serious issue that threatens our future. Ironically, only a small
percentage of our planet's water is actually usable. Ninety-seven percent of the world's water is too salty
for human consumption or agricultural use. Furthermore, many water scarcity issues cross borders
because countries share transboundary water sources. Such basins require international cooperation to
alleviate water scarcity and create opportunity. 

According to Cavite Integrated Water Resource Master Plan, The province of Cavite recognizes
the need for an updated, integrated, and comprehensive water management plan in view of the rapid
growth in population, increased economic activity, decreasing groundwater levels resulting in
groundwater mining, salt-water intrusion in coastal areas, pollution in rivers, and competition over water
rights. Cavite‘s Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP) 2008- 2013 identified
the annual depletion of ground water and the pollution of major rivers as among the issues concerning
water supply sources. The Cavite Integrated Water Resources Management Master Plan aims to update
the findings of the past studies of JICA (1995) and SWECO (2004), among other studies, which focused
on ground water source development for selected areas in Cavite.

Usage of GW in Cavite

 To determine current and future water supply demand for domestic

 (residential, commercial, institutional and small industries), irrigation,
 fisheries, livestock raising, industrial and recreational purposes;
  To determine the climatic, hydrologic, and hydro-geologic environments of the
 study area, particularly, the availability and quantity of surface water and
 groundwater;
  To formulate a comprehensive water resources development and
 management framework for the optimum utilization of water resources for
 water supply projects in the study area;
  To identify the network of institutional relationships in water resources
 development and management, particularly in water supply development at
 the study area which includes national, regional, and local agencies;
  To present descriptions of the organizational structure, functions, and
 activities of the key agencies at water resource level area;
  To recommend institutional arrangements for the implementation of potential
 water supply projects; and
  To establish the policies, formulate the corresponding strategies and develop
 the attendant shopping list of potential programs and projects that shall serve
 as the development and management blueprint for the province‘s water
 supply in the short, medium and long term planning horizons.