DENR scales up effort to avoid water crisis

MANILA, Philippines — Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has called on stakeholders to scale up efforts to address the global water crisis.

“Now more than ever, we need to accelerate our efforts to address the water crisis. We need to act urgently, and we need to act now, in partnership and in cooperation with other stakeholders,” Yulo-Loyzaga said over the weekend.

Yulo-Loyzaga attended the United Nations 2023 Water Conference in New York from March 22 to 24.

The conference was aimed at fostering greater discussion on water-related issues, including access to safe drinking water and sanitation, sustainable development, climate resilience and international water cooperation.

During the conference, Yulo-Loyzaga said the Philippines is ready to commit to a global water sector resilience agenda that ensures reliable and equitable access to safe water, sanitation, improved health and gender equality.

She vowed that the country will foster knowledge, innovation and just partnerships in water governance through strengthened access to science-informed, equitable and sustainable financing and engagements with the private sector, academe, multilateral development banks and other stakeholders in climate action.

For his part, DENR Undersecretary for field operations Juan Miguel Cuna said it is important to build on past achievements on water conservation.

“The government, the private sector, and civil society organizations have been working together to address the water crisis through innovative and sustainable solutions,” Cuna said.?

Cuna added that the government has been implementing programs to promote integrated water resource management, improve water quality and ensure water access for all.

He acknowledged the contribution of the private sector in promoting water conservation and efficiency in their respective operations.

“We at the DENR have started to heavily embark on strengthening our partnerships with multisectoral stakeholders and we are glad to have thus far garnered positive response,” he added.