President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Monday his administration will give a “special focus” on improving water security.
During his second State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos said efforts to enhance water security should be “cohesive, centralized, and systematic” rather than “scattershot”.
“Ang tubig ay kasing-halaga rin ng pagkain. Kailangan nating tiyakin na may sapat at malinis na tubig para sa lahat at sa mga susunod na salinlahi. Kasama na rito ang tubig na ginagamit natin para sa sakahan (Water is as important as food. We need to ensure that everyone has access to sufficient, safe, and clean water, including the future generations. This also includes water for agriculture use,” Marcos said.
He said the Water Resources Management Office (WRMO) was created to synergize efforts to address water security challenges and specifically handle the “delicate job involving this most precious resource”.
The newly-created WRMO integrates the functions of all agencies with water-related mandates to effectively manage the country’s water resources and achieve water security.
The WRMO, created under Executive Order 22, is under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Marcos said he has already coordinated with Congress to pass a measure to create the Department of Water Resource Management to be tasked to implement necessary policy and resource reforms concerning the management of all water resources including irrigation, sewage and sanitation.
The department also monitors the evaluation of compliance with the national goals relating to water, irrigation, sewage and sanitation; formulate a national updated road map to address the water, sewage and sanitation requirements of the State; and improve water conservation and increase system efficiencies.
Marcos also noted that around PHP14.6 billion has been allocated for water supply projects this year, which will benefit communities nationwide.
He said the water supply of the National Capital Region and Rizal received a significant boost from the first phase of the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project.
“The water supply will increase as the Project enters the second phase,” Marcos said.
In terms of the preparations for the looming dry spell of El Niño, Marcos said 6,000 rainwater collection systems have been installed across the country. (PNA)
