Duterte backs creation of Department of Water

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte is in favor of the proposal to form a separate department for water-related concerns, believing it would prevent a repeat of the water service interruption experienced recently by parts of Metro Manila and Rizal province.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the creation of a water department was one of the topics discussed during the 36th Cabinet meeting last Monday in Malacañang.

When asked in a press briefing Monday if Duterte was okay with the creation of a separate water department, Panelo replied in the affirmative.  
 
"It will synchronize all the acts from other agencies hopefully to prevent the occurrence of the waters stoppage that we had last time," Panelo said. 

Panelo said the creation of a water department would not add to the layers of bureaucracy because only one body would handle all water issues.

Last month, socioeconomic planning secretary Ernesto Pernia proposed the creation of a "Department of Water," saying it would integrate all measures designed to ensure adequate water supply in the country. 

Panelo previously said such agency may no longer be necessary because the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and water concessionaires were able to come up with a solution to the water crisis. 

El Niño roadmap

The creation of a water department is one of the proposals in a road map that seeks to mitigate the effects of El Niño and water shortage. The road map was also discussed during last Monday's Cabinet meeting, Panelo said. 

Panelo said the road map would include immediate, medium and long-term interventions such as making an intensive campaign for the conservation of water and energy, creating a Department of Water and a Department of Disaster Resilience.

Other measures contained in the road map are the dredging of waterways, replacing tunnels and aqueducts, installing water tank systems in all hospitals under the health department and providing funding for the establishment of water treatment plants. 

Damage in agriculture caused by El Niño has breached P5 billion, according to official data. The phenomenon has so far affected more than 177,000 agricultural areas and 164,000 farmers nationwide.

At the same Cabinet meeting, National Economic and Development Authority Undersecretary Adoracion Navarro presented the proposed executive order that seeks to transform and strengthen the National Water Resources Board. 

Panelo said the order would merge the NWRB and the River Basin Control Office into the National Water Management Council. 

"This will streamline and consolidate planning and regulation of all water and river basins in the country. It will also draft a National Water Management Framework Plan," the presidential spokesman said.