NWRB backs creation of National Water Use Plan

National Water Resources Board (NWRB) Executive Director Dr. Sevillo David Jr. on Monday expressed his support for the creation of a National Water Use Plan.

“Magandang panukala po yan. Ito naman ay akma po sa instruction ng ating ng Pangulo na kailangan an rin po nating tignanyung pangangailangan po ng mga kababayan natin sa tubig,” he said at a public briefing.

(It is a good proposal. This is in line with the instruction of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. that we have to look into the water needs of our people.)

David added that Marcos also discussed water supply and management during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July.

House Deputy Majority Leader David Suarez of Quezon on Friday said the Marcos administration should come up with a National Water Use Plan to ensure food security.

Based on the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) records, Suarez said that around 36% of the country's 3,128,631 irrigable areas do not have a well-functioning irrigation system.

The plan would also optimize the use of the country's natural resources, as well as complement the National Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) masterplan, he added.

Marcos concurrently sits as the Agriculture Secretary. — DVM, GMA News