Palace says EO to address water crisis being finalized

MANILA, Philippines — Officials are finalizing an executive order that seeks to address the water crisis and proposes to turn the National Water Resources Board into a body that will craft policies on water-related issues, Malacañang said Sunday. 

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the proposed EO, which will cover the components of integrated water resource management, was discussed during a Cabinet Assistance System meeting in Leyte last Friday.

“I believe the different agencies agree on the problems that need to be resolved to prevent the sort of water supply management issues now being experienced in Metro Manila,” Nograles said in a statement. 

“At this point we have built a consensus on how we can address these issues, but the recommendations as outlined in the EO will still be subject to the approval of the president,” he added. 

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The proposed EO aims to reconstitute the NWRB into a body that will craft policies, set directions and integrate all state efforts on water-related concerns. Nograles said the body may be placed under the Office of the President. The NWRB was placed under the supervision of the Environment department in 2002 by Executive Order No. 123. 

“Given the scope and breadth of water-related concerns, the supervision of OP could help ensure that all 30-plus agencies involved in water resource management are on the same page,” Nograles said.

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The body would also be tasked to come up with a national water management master plan that would integrate all relevant and existing plans and road maps of different agencies involved in water resource management

Nograles said representatives of the agencies discussing the water issues were “focused on finding solutions to the problem instead of dwelling on its roots.”

"They know that to address the problems of our countrymen, it is better to help each other rather than point fingers.) I believe that this is the approach to take with any challenge facing our country," the Cabinet secretary said. 

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There are at least 32 agencies involved in the water sector. Nograles previously said the Cabinet Assistance System is working on issues like the limited implementation of integrated water resources management in many of the country’s river basins and watersheds, which results in wastage and uncoordinated plans and programs, quantifying the extent of water sector issues, and access to safe water supplies.

Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System to demand from water utilities Manila Water and Maynilad and offices involved in water management to release water from Angat Dam to supply Metro Manila areas experiencing water shortage. Agencies were also directed to deliver sufficient water to the affected residents.