The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has remained proactive in addressing the looming global water crisis that is aggravated by the climate change phenomenon, Environment Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said.
In her speech at the United Nations 2023 Water Conference in New York, Loyzaga underscored the several measures by the Executive, as well as the Legislative branch, in meeting head-on the challenges, specifically the dwindling water supply brought about by climate change.
“Today, more than ever, there is a critical need for nexus governance, climate and disaster resilience, one that pursues a strategic balance between supply and consumption of water for health, food, energy and environmental security,” Loyzaga noted.
“The Philippines is moving decisively in this direction. Our President has directed the creation of a Water Resource Management Office under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to achieve water security by integrating the functions of all agencies with water-related mandates,” The DENR chief said as she noted the WRMO is “the first in the country’s history.”
The DENR secretary said the WRMO is aligned with a new legislation, creating an apex body for comprehensive water resource management, adding that the Philippines is adopting an all-hazards and risk-informed integrated water resource management approach.
Loyzaga said all the plans and programs of the government to provide universal access to safe, sufficient, affordable and sustainable water supply, sanitation and hygiene will be completed by 2030.
The top DENR official also pointed out that achieving adequate and equitable access to safe drinking water and sanitation services are at the core of sustainable development.
“Integrated water management approaches that overcome barriers to water and sanitation access and improve health are therefore imperative,” Loyzaga said.
The DENR chief pointed out that vertical integration to ensure alignment of local government units’ (LGUs) water-related policies and actions with the Philippine Development Plan are also being pursued.
“We are establishing the national geospatial database for natural resources, including water, in order to achieve cross-cutting development goals , de-risked investments, and improve the water resource management down to the community level. It underpins our natural capital accounting programs and establishes the physical bases of the design of water related social and infrastructure programs which aim to ensure that no ecosystem or community is left behind,” the Environment chief explained.
She cited that the Philippines ranks 4th among the countries in the world most affected by water related disasters, with approximately 20 typhoons entering the country each year, bringing torrential rain and flooding as well as water borne diseases.
“Extreme rainfall events and prolonged periods of drought have impacted our food and energy supply . Between 2010 and 2019, damages incurred due to floods, droughts and storms have amounted to USD10 billion,” Loyzaga said.
“Water stress and insecurity remain and disasters do move people into poverty. We are not alone. Climate vulnerable developing countries are faced with similar crises,” the DENR chief added.
The Philippines’ participation in the UN 2023 Water Conference is critical because it was the first time that the UN member states expressed that water, climate change, biodiversity, disaster risk and human development are inextricably linked. It was also the first time since 1977 that this conference was held.
Recognizing these important confluence, the Philippines was represented by the Permanent Mission to the UN, the DENR, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Finance (DOF), Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA).
As head of delegation, the DENR was able to present how a climate vulnerable country like the Philippines is able to share its best practices due to the Marcos administration’s commitments to address the urgency of the link between climate change and water, health, food, energy and environmental security. This is embodied in the new Philippine Development Plan.
“We shared three major policy directions: the establishment of the Water Resource Management Office under the DENR and related legislative initiatives; the building of the National Natural Geospatial Database, with water as a layer, in support of the natural capital accounting system and advancing the Philippine Health Facility Development Plan 2020-2040, most especially giving priority access to water, sanitation and hygiene or WASH in public healthcare facilities,” the DENR chief pointed out.
The side event on WASH, co-organized by Hungary and the Philippines, was moderated by the World Health Organization (WHO). It cited the Philippines as an example of good practice.#
