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Water Supply and Sanitation Master Plan launched in SOCCSKSARGEN
by Annie C. Deputado, NEDA XII
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Koronadal City, South Cotabato - Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua underscored the importance of access to reliable water supply and sanitation for all Filipinos in his address during the conduct of a Special Forum on Water and Sanitation on June 27, 2022. Around 70 participants from water districts, local government units, and line agency representatives attended the forum which was conducted via Zoom platform. The forum also served as a venue to introduce the Philippine Water Supply and Sanitation Master Plan (PWSSMP) and its accompanying Region 12 Databook and Regional Road Map. The PWSSMP was presented by OIC Undersecretary Roderick M. Planta of the Investment Programming Group of the National Economic and Development Authority. OIC Undersecretary Planta said that the Plan is the country’s action plan to help achieve the attainment of 100 percent universal access to water and sanitation, Usec Planta likewise emphasized that there is still more to do to attain SDG Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation for All in 2030 given the prevailing situation as contained in the masterplan.
On the other hand, NEDA Regional Director Teresita Socorro C. Ramos, Vice Chairperson of RDC XII provided the rationale of the activity. She emphasized the importance of being able to validate and generate additional issues and concerns, as well as the priority programs and projects that can be pursued for SOCCSKSARGEN Region for the next plan period, 2023-2028.
NEDA Assistant Regional Director Carmel P. Matabang presented the regional situationer based on the Regional Handbook, which showed that approximately 87 percent of SOCCSKSARGEN’s population had access to safe water sources based on 2015 data. This is one percentage point below the national average of about 88 percent. In terms of access to sanitation, only 41 percent
of the region’s population had access to improved sanitation. The Master Plan was approved by the NEDA Board Committee on Infrastructure on April 6, 2021 and launched on 16 September 2021. The Regional Development Council (RDC) XII recognized the importance of disseminating the Master Plan as well as the accompanying regional data books and roadmaps to all stakeholders. Thus, the Council approved the conduct of the special forum for the presentation of the PWSSMP Master Plan on June 27, 2022 through RDC XII Resolution No. 21, s. 2021.
The special forum did not only serve as a venue for the dissemination of the Philippine Water Supply and Sanitation Master Plan but also paved the way for the validation of issues, challenges and recommendations included in the Region XII’s data book and roadmap. Additional issues and concerns were likewise generated, along with recommended programs and projects to be pursued in the next plan period under the new administration.
The activity was capped with messages of support given by representatives of DOH XII, PSR Carlito Uy of the Social Sector and Engr. Arn B. Gellangarin of the General Santos City Water District.
