MANILA — In response to ongoing challenges with water management, including flooding and shortages, the Senate leadership has committed to prioritizing a bill to establish a Department of Water Resources (DWR) within the year. This initiative aims to provide a more organized response to natural water-related crises like floods during the rainy season and droughts during El Niño periods.
According to Philippines News Agency, this legislative measure is one of the key priorities of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Escudero expressed optimism about passing the bill promptly, ideally before the Senate recess in October. He explained that the proposed department would enable better utilization and management of the country's water resources by integrating systems to redistribute water from areas of excess to those in need during critical times. Escudero drew a parallel to the power transmission systems managed by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, suggesting a similar approach for water management across the archipelago's major regions.
The bill, known as Senate Bill No. 102 or the National Water Resource Management Act, was initiated by Senator Grace Poe. It seeks to effectively manage the Philippines' extensive water resources, which include 421 river basins, 59 natural lakes, extensive groundwater reservoirs, and significant annual rainfall. With the creation of the DWR, the government hopes to address not just emergency water issues but also the long-term sustainability of water resource management.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has also highlighted the need for comprehensive infrastructure and planning to better manage water-related disasters. OCD chief Ariel Nepomuceno emphasized the importance of robust engineering solutions such as dams, levees, and irrigation systems, along with community relocation from vulnerable areas and reforestation efforts. These strategies are envisioned to mitigate the impacts of both floods and droughts effectively.
This legislative effort comes at a critical time as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has placed the country on La Niña alert, predicting a 70 percent chance of the phenomenon occurring between August and October and likely persisting into early next year.