[See table]

Water is mobile and it occurs as both stock and flow. Surface water tends to flow, evaporate, transpire and seep while groundwater exists as stock subject to recharge flows. In some parts of The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), consumers are expending higher amounts on water consumption. For example in Baguio City, water generation and distribution attracted business opportunities due to the lack of a structured water system. Higher water cost can be attributed to expensive water generation and distribution cost which may include water storage and conveyance.

CAR is endowed by nature with several rivers and creeks. As host to thirteen (13) principal river systems, the region prides itself as the watershed cradle of Northern Luzon.

The stock of surface water in the region was greatly affected by the El Nino and La Nina phenomena. This can be exemplified in the decreases in the stock of surface water in the years 1991, 1994 and 1997; and the corresponding increases in the years 1995, 1996 and 1998. [See table]

The agriculture sector is the main user of water in the region. It recorded a total consumption of about 2.6 billion cubic meters in 1990 to 2.9 billion cubic meters in 1998 or a yearly average consumption of about 2.8 billion cubic meters. The household sector comes in second with an annual average consumption of 24.8 million cubic meters from 1990 to 1998. The industry sector abstraction from surface water is considered zero since major industries within the region generally source their water requirements from aquifers rather than from rivers and streams.

The overall stock of surface water in 1998 registered a recovery from its 1990 level despite severe fluctuations during the period covered. The trend of stocks showed that though it can recover after some period, it can also decline by around 10 billion cubic meters as experienced in 1991, 1994 and 1997.

The water resource account is just part of the accounting of all the natural resources in a watershed. It can serve as a valuable input in the development of a comprehensive and sustainable resource and management plan in a given watershed or ecosystem.

*Source: National Statistical Coordination Board - Cordillera Administrative Region (2000)