"We are no strangers to water security problems."
"We are no strangers to water security problems."
Problems in water security are not new in the country. In the past decades, different parts of the country, aside from Metro Manila, also experienced water shortages. The El Niño spells challenged water supply for domestic and agricultural use in provinces, leading to low yields of crops. According to a report by DOST-PAGASA, in 1982 to 1983, drought-affected areas in Western and Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog provinces, Northern Visayas, Bohol and Western Mindanao which led to hydropower generation loss of P316 million. The 1990 drought recorded 500,000 metric tons of losses in rice and corn production worth P348 million, and a 10-percent reduction in water supply in Metro Manila. A severe drought in Mindanao from 1991 to 1992 led to more than P4-billion agricultural losses and 20-percent reduction of water supply in Metro Manila. Water shortages produce a ripple that cuts across regions.
The present problem of water shortage in Metro Manila remains unresolved despite the ample time and opportunities given to the water concessionaires. We have been looking for solutions to address this water security issue for a long time now. Perhaps, we should ask ourselves if we are looking at the right direction to sustainable solutions.
Since the devolution in 1991, the local government units have been granted powers and authority to finance, operate, and maintain their own water supply systems. This streamlined impact assessments and adoption of mitigation strategies in local settings. LGUs developed insights and capacity to address water shortages through their local programs and projects.
This governance asset must be maximized. The national government should look into the actions done by the local governments in ensuring water security. In Quezon, we have identified water sources in the province that could be tapped to augment water supply in the region. This could also supplement water supply in Metro Manila and still be enough to provide water requirements for the next decades. Studies have already backed the feasibility of this project.
There is an easy and obvious solution that exists where we can maintain the environmental integrity, ecological balance, and observe constitutional mandates towards protecting the rights of indigenous peoples, and, at the same time, respond to an issue of real and national concern.
Hence, I seek coordination and cooperation of the national agencies in the utilization of this proposed water source. The information base and experience of the local government units may be useful and beneficial to the national government. For a strong and cohesive government, inclusive and collaborative leadership is needed.