A CONSENSUS was forged during a forum on the issue of water sustainability among representatives of the government, stakeholders the private sector that a whole-of-society approach was crucial to address the country’s water crisis.
The agreement arose amid discussions dubbed “Philippine Water Management Agenda: Ensuring Sustainability and Security” organized by the the think tank Stratbase ADR Institute, in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Philippine Business for Environmental Stewardship (PBEST).
During the forum, Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said that the government alone cannot address water concerns.
“By addressing water related challenges comprehensively, [it] will require us to unlock the potential for transformative change across all sectors of society, and this should include the most vulnerable… Maintaining our watersheds plays a significant role in ensuring that a robust quantity and appropriate quality of water is available for our youth. For these efforts, we have also now partnered with the private sector and will continue to do so as we recognize that the government cannot do this alone. Everyone’s contribution is required and deeply appreciated,” Loyzaga explained.
She also cited the importance of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Executive Order No. 22 issued last April creating the Water Resources Management Office under the DENR and harmonizes government efforts in water management, which used to be handled by numerous separate and fragmented agencies.
“This is the first time, I believe, that we have a DPWH Secretary that has also reached out to the DENR and to the other related water agencies to work together with them. This type of convergence ways of work are really where the secret is in terms of acceleration and what we can achieve. Secretary Bonoan has in fact invited us to be part of the technical advising and management of these different projects, and this opens the door for collaboration between the water related agencies and DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways),” Loyzaga said.
“We hope to affirm our commitment to universal access to clean water, recognize the urgency of innovation and partnerships. The journey towards water security may be daunting, but our collective resolve and shared responsibility will guide us towards success,” she added.
DENR Undersecretary for Integrated Environmental Science Carlos Primo David said the DENR was “working very closely” with the DPWH through Secretary Manuel Bonoan.
David proposed realigning a portion of DPWH’s P276-billion budget intended for flood control programs to help sustain the stable supply of clean and potable water in the country.
“We’ve been talking to NIA [National Irrigation Authority] and the DPWH if we can, perhaps, repurpose some of the [flood control] projects so they can no longer be dikes alone but actually impounding projects, small hydro dams, and reservoirs for water supply of communities and irrigation,” David explained.
“What we are to expect in the countries would be extremes: dryer dry seasons and wetter wet seasons. And the certified number one mitigation adaptation strategy for having those extremes would be to store water during the wet season so that we would have water to use during the extended dry season. So, it’s really storage. Our geography is that we [the Philippines] are many small islands and therefore we should scale our water resources the same way – many of these smaller dams and reservoirs. So that’s one of the efforts and this is really for us to mitigate whatever impacts there will be with climate change,” he added.
Similarly, Stratbase president Dindo Manhit said achieving a water-secure Philippines requires the support and participation of all stakeholders.
“We believe, in the Institute, that we need to advance strategic water resource management by fostering cooperative endeavors between the public, the private sector, and within the private sector not only the corporate but also civil society and citizens’ groups. Achieving a water secure Philippines requires the support and participation of all stakeholders not only in the Metro Manila area, but at the national level and different local areas,” Manhit explained.
“We don’t need the whole-of-government, what we need is the whole of society. It takes society to address these challenges… Water utilization encompasses a broader spectrum as it affects every sectos of society. Partnerships are crucial in this long-term and far-reaching endeavor,” he also said.
Among those who spoke in the forum on Monday were the head officials of Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, Maynilad, Manila Water, Aboitiz, and Filinvest, as well as from the Ateneo School of Government, CitizenWatch Philippines, and PBEST.
Also present were representatives from the business sector, civil society, the academe, and think tanks.
PBEST Secretary General Engr. Felix Vitangcol said the pressure to ensure accessibility to clean, reliable, and affordable water will increase over the coming years.
“We cannot afford to be complacent. Inaction is not an option. Climate change and global warming have intensified the occurrence of droughts, placing immense pressure on our water resources and infrastructures that are designed with future environment much the same as decades ago,” Vitangcol explained.
“We have heard inspiring case studies of successful initiatives that have improved water infrastructure, reduced water losses, and enhanced water quality. The private sector has proven, and I hope they continue to, that they are not just for profit-driven entities but agents of change, committed to the betterment of society and the environment,” he added.