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Friday, March 29, 2024

Solon seeks passage of DWRM measure

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AGRI party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee on Monday renewed his call for the urgent passage of a measure creating a Department of Water Resources Management (DWRM), as the country braces for the impact of the El Niño phenomenon.

Lee was referring to House Bill 2880 which was among some measures seeking to create a particular department which will consolidate all agencies concerning water resources.

The bill provides that among the tasks of the proposed DWRM was the implementation of necessary policy and resource reforms with respect to the management of all water resources including irrigation, sewage, and sanitation; the monitoring and evaluate compliance with the national goals relating to water, irrigation, sewage, and sanitation; formulation of a national updated road map to address the water, sewage, and sanitation requirements of the State; and improvement of conservation of water and increase system efficiencies.

This measure was in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s pronouncement on his administration’s “overall plan” to improve the country’s water resources management, Lee said. 

“There are many agencies that are concerned when it comes to water management. So we have to make it more cohesive. That’s why nagtayo tayo ng Office of Water Management, which presently will be attached to the Office of the President and with DENR,” the President said in a recent media interview, pending the passage of a bill creating the Department of Water Management.

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Lee reiterated the need for government to urgently roll out mechanisms and infrastructures to help agricultural workers amid the looming water crisis.

“Even without El Niño, many of our farmers already suffer from the effects of water shortage,” the solon from Sorsogon said.

If passed into lawP2 billion will be set aside from any available funds for the organization of the DWRM and its initial operations. Thereafter, funds to carry out the powers and functions of the department would be appropriated in the General Appropriations Act.

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