Boholanos need to ponder on the countless uses of water, which conservation is the focal theme of this year's global celebration of Earth Day on April 22, and its infinite essence to Bohol's total growth.

This is imperative, according to staunchest advocates of sustainable development, because water sufficiency modifies progress.

The provincial administration has inventoried Bohol island's water resources because they are a crucial determinant of what socio-economic vision to direct---or redirect---and how the goals ought to be attained.

Earth Day calls for wise, responsible use of resources since conserving is but a late wisdom when actual utilization has already exceeded the potential.

There are areas in Bohol otherwise having water resources but which remain thirsty because the precious mineral is simply allowed to drain untapped.

In other cases, existing waterworks systems remain wanting in support infrastructures that can extend the precious commodity to nearby areas in dire need.

The survey done by masters in the field will determine the availability and volume of freshwater in the ground sources in Lourdes and New Lourdes in Cortes.

Such expert research can even proximate the probability of saltwater intrusion into an aquifer.

Panglao Mayor Benedicto Alcala and Dauis Mayor Luciano Bongalos both confirmed the obtaining water shortage in their two-town island.

The Bohol Council of Prime Movers (BCPM), a multi-sectoral advisory-consultative development body created by virtue of an executive order issued by Gov. Erico Aumentado, is getting worried of Panglao's worsening water situation.

Many of its members share common thought that excessive "water mining" or forcible deep drilling in the island to draw water is like squeezing blood from an anemic patient.

In a privilege speech, Board Member Alfonso Damalerio pressed for the tapping now of more sustainable sources, seeing the "need for water alongside the need for electric power."

Damalerio chairs the Sangguniang Panlalawigan public utilities and environment committees and acts as BCPM secretary-general.

The BWUI has included potential sources in Cortes in its short-term program of bringing water to Panglao, benefiting along the way Cortes, Tagbilaran City and Dauis.

The expert study it commissioned will tell which sites are viable to balance environment and progress.

The survey takes into account sustainable development with emphasis on water discharge capacity against heavy use in the future.

The two considerations are timely points on Tuesday's Earth Day celebration which theme rotates on responsible utilization of water.

In a synergy of vision with the Bohol leaders, the BWUI has eyed under its long-term plan a water supply infrastructure by surface water intake tapping the inexhaustible Abatan river or Loboc river.

The Abatan-Loboc river option can provide a daily average of 56,325 cumd benefiting some 203,800 population in Cortes, Tagbilaran City, Dauis, Panglao, Baclayon, Alburquerque, Loay and Loboc.

The Panglao Island Tourism Estate, Metro Tagbilaran and adjacent areas form one of two priority zones in Bohol for water supply development that will lower the bulk water supply tariff.

In this regard, The Bohol Integrated Water Supply System Master Plan (BIWSSMP) repeatedly cites, with mention of Panglao water need, the role of the BWUI, which efficient service is in itself a tempting marketing of Bohol to business locators.

No less than Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will groundbreak and plant the time capsule on May 10 for the long-awaited Panglao Bohol International Airport Project.

The ambitious billions-worth undertaking will make Panglao an epicenter sending wide power economic shockwaves that could crack poverty bedrocks. (ven rebo arigo)