The availability and accessibility of potable water and usable land in Cebu has been rapidly being outpaced by increasing and varied demands. Considered a modern-day phenomenon of the south, Cebu’s economic progress in the last two decades – in terms of investments and output – has generally been described as bullish. Along with this, the demand for water and land has been rising dramatically.

The lack of an integrated resource management and land use policy had already opened the watershed to inappropriate and unregulated land use. A lot of conflicts on resource use and management originated from this. Contributing to this growing problem is the fact that Metropolitan Cebu does not have any major surface water sources. Groundwater mining has been going beyond the safe allowable extraction, thus saltwater intrusion has been recorded since 1975.

A group of non-government organizations represented by individuals who are concerned about inadequate governmental mechanisms of responding to the conflicts over water supply and watershed management – convened, assessed the situation, and planned collaborative actions. This marked the birth of a multi-sectoral coalition, the Cebu Uniting for Sustainable Water (CUSW). It was created on 25 January 1995 and registered as a non-government organization to address concerns on water shortage; integrity of watershed areas vis a vis development; and the plight of farmers who will be displaced by development in the uplands.

CUSW consists of various groups, including non-government organizations, peoples’ organizations, farmers, government agencies, academe and research institutions, businesses, professional and civic sectors, and private individuals. They joined CUSW out of concern over the inadequacy of previous governmental mechanisms for water supply and management. As an alternative strategy, these groups use a non-traditional approach in which national and local government, various organizations and citizens alike convene on the subject of land and water resource management, with CUSW as a facilitator.

The CUSW acts as forum facilitator-convenor-mediator where stakeholders can voice their opinions, as well as become educated on various water resource problems, and discuss possible solutions. As the first and probably the only civil society-initiated multi-sectoral coalition dealing with water resources policy and management in the Philippines, the CUSW has continuously proven the effectiveness of insider-facilitated conflict resolution.

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