House moves to avert water, sewerage crisis by harmonizing two bills

September 23, 2017

In the face of bleak potable water and sewerage scenario forecasted for the Philippines by international bodies, a technical working group (TWG) in the House of Representatives is harmonizing two bills seeking to create a department that will manage water resources in the country.

A sound management of water resources is a legislative priority of the Duterte administration to ensure Filipinos' access to safe, clean and affordable drinking water, as well as proper sanitation services and facilities.

In 2015, the World Resources Institute warned the Philippines is vulnerable to severe water shortage in the coming years because of the combined impact of its rapid population growth and the effects of climate change, said Rep. Estrellita Suansing of Nueva Ecija.

Suansing, chairperson of the committee on ecology, said the lack of a holistic program for water resources management creates a perennial problem that affects the lives of Filipinos in terms of health, sanitation, food security and livelihood.

“To ensure Filipinos the benefit of the fundamental human right to safe, clean and affordable water, the immediate approval of House Bill 4995 is earnestly sought,” said Suansing.

The TWG is co-chaired by Rep. Christopher de Venecia, representing the committee on government reorganization, and Rep. Deogracias Ramos, Jr. for the committee on public works and highways.

The two bills being harmonized are House Bill No. 2457 titled “Rationalizing the Resource Management of the Water Sector, Creating the Department of Water, Sewage and Sanitation" and HB 4995 titled “Creating the Department of Water Resources and Services.”

HB 2457 was authored by Rep. Arthur Yap of  Bohol while HB 4995 was  filed by Suansing.

“The water shortage is further aggravated by the fragmented and overlapping functions of water agencies in the country, said Suansing, who also cited a study by the World Water Organization that water supply  is diminishing.

If passed into law,HB 4999 shall transfer to the Department of Water Resources and Services the  National Water Resources Board (NWRB), Local Water Utilities Administration (LUWA), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), and Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC).

According to the "2005 Little Green Data Book" of the World Bank cited by Yap, one out of five Filipinos does not get water from formal sources. Only 77 percent of the rural population and 90 percent of those in urban areas have an access to an improved water source while only 44 percent have direct house connections, he said.

“With the increase in population coupled with worsening pollution of water, lack of infrastructure and facilities result in allocation issues and conflicting rights over limited water supply,” said Yap, chairman of the committee on economic affairs.

He said most problems encountered in the water sector arise from an issue of conflicts of use and water allocation. “With the increase in population coupled with worsening pollution of water, lack of infrastructure and facilities result in allocation issues and conflicting rights over limited water supply,” said Yap, chairman of the committee on economic affairs.

Yap said the proposed Department of Water, Sewage and Sanitation shall be tasked with developing and implementing a comprehensive water, sewage and sanitation program. DMS