Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino 4th has raised the need to create a Department of Water and solely address water distribution issues and avoid a repeat of the water crisis that burdened thousands of Metro Manila residents.
The re-electionist senator filed Senate Bill 2216 seeking the creation of the Department of Water, Irrigation, Sewage and Sanitation Resource Management.
“The creation of the Department of Water is a long-term solution to prevent a repeat of the water shortage, not only in Metro Manila, but also in other parts of the country,” Aquino said.
Aquino said the Department of Water would rationalise water, irrigation, sewage and sanitation resource management.
Currently, several agencies are responsible for water, irrigation, sewage and sanitation management, such as the National Water Resources Board, Local Water Utilities Administration, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), National Irrigation Administration, local water districts and rural waterworks and sanitation associations.
“With regulation and management of our water resources currently lodged with various units and agencies of the government, we are faced with challenges in terms of implementing national policies and plans on water, sewage, sanitation, and irrigation,” Aquino said.
He said the proposed department would improve water resource planning to ensure sustainable, fair allocation and efficient use of water resources, including but not limited to domestic and municipal use, irrigation, power generation, farming, fisheries, commercial and industrial use. Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, meanwhile, pushed for the construction of more dams. “I think we should pursue the completion of delayed water dam projects to address the shortage. The Angat Dam and La Mesa Dam are the only sources of water for Metro Manila. Our population is getting bigger, we must find new water sources,” said Ejercito, who is seeking re-election in May.
A drum is filled with water in Tondo, Manila.
