Marcos OKs creation of Water Resource Management Office

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Wednesday approved the creation of a Water Resource Management Office (WRMO) to manage the country’s water resources and respond to present environmental challenges.

At a multi-sectoral meeting in Malacañang, Marcos tackled the importance of planning when it comes to water management as he stressed the need for a plan that will serve as a roadmap for waste management agencies.

“Kaya nga kailangan sumunod sa plano (we need to follow the plan). That’s why we have to strengthen the mandate of the Water Management Office. We have to bring them together so that they are all following the overall plan,” he said.

“So that whatever the relationship we come to with MWSS (Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System) and Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) and the Water Board, DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) and this new Water Management Office, it has to be cohesive in the sense that kailangan ‘yung recommendation ng management office sinusundan (the recommendation of the management office should be followed),” he added.

Marcos suggested that the WRMO’s first action should be reducing the country’s reliance on groundwater and deep wells as well as managing surface water supply.

“That’s as far as I could tell. We have sufficient... there’s enough water in the Philippines hindi lang natin ginagamit, tinatapon natin (it's just that we are not using it, we are wasting it),” Marcos said.

According to the Presidential Communications Office, an executive order will be crafted to enable the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), MWSS, and LWUA and the other water-related agencies of the DENR "to have a collaborative mechanism under the WRMO to implement water management programs."

The WRMO will be under the DENR and will be a transitory body pending the creation of a Water Resources Department, the PCO said.

The PCO also said the WRMO’s main functions include formulating and ensuring the implementation of the Integrated Water Management Plan (IWMP), which will integrate various plans of different agencies.

The WRMO is also tasked to champion the passage of a law creating an apex body; collaborate closely with all relevant agencies, including local government units, private sector, civil society, and the communities; as well as perform other functions under the DENR.—AOL, GMA Integrated News