Water governance and food security of the irrigators association in Bago City, Negros Occidental, Philippines

Abstract

Humans and all living organisms rely on water for survival. However, this dependence on water resources coupled with population increase, economic development, and accumulated disaster risk could lead to global water scarcity. With the pressing need to develop water governance roadmaps, this study presents relevant information for developing a plan for water usage, conservation, and recycling. Using a researcher-made survey instrument, a total of 124 residents from barangays Mailum and Taloc in Bago City, Negros Occidental, Philippines served as respondents. Results found that most of the respondents were aware of the Irrigation Association's (IA) policies on water governance and that they were appropriately designed and beneficial to their needs. Although water is available on their farm for irrigation, there were times when they experience water shortage, especially during the dry season. Moreover, even though irrigation water is properly used in the locality, water wastage and usage for other purposes were observed. In terms of irrigation for rice farming, availability ranged from always (49.2%) to sometimes (47.6%) and due to the lack of other bodies of water in their area, the majority claimed that they have no other sources of water aside from the irrigation system. The majority of the respondents also claimed that their rice production is sufficient for the rice needs of their family and their income is enough to cover their family's food expenditure. Lastly, four variables were found to have significantly contributed to the total rice production. These variables are (1) availability of water at all times, (2) equal allocation of water irrigation by the IA, (3) the power delegations of the IA to the members on the governance of irrigation water, and (4) the period when irrigation water was not distributed in the rice farm.