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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2018 advertise@manilastandard.net
LWUA Spearheads
Water Department By Peter Paul Duran
T
HE Philippines is a country abundant with water. It is surrounded by oceans and seas with a multitude of bodies of water in between the more than seven thousand islands, along the rivers that flow from the vast mountain ranges, and the sources of water from down under we have yet to tap.
Truly, the country is blessed with nature’s prime resource. The question now is, why haven’t we made the great leap forward in this aspect? For Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) administrator Jeci Lapus, the water system in the Philippines is fragmented. The solution? A lone governing body to address all water-related issues. In a talk with Manila Standard, the former congressman shared his plans and updates on putting up a Department of Water which has now gained traction in the lower house, while giving insights on how the Philippines, a country rich with the blessing of water, can still provide sources of safe, sufficient, and affordable drinking water to a growing population amid an infrastructure-intensive thrust from the government. Can you talk us through your proposal to put up a department of water and the main reason for this initiative? Admin Jeci Lapus: Well, we have now a pending bill in congress filed by the speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and this is for the creation of a department of water, irrigation, sanitation, sewage and resources. So this will unify all the agencies. The department of water will surely make it possible na meron tayong containment of rain water. We are the only country I think that does not have a department of water because after air, what is the next important thing?Water. What is the status of the endorsed bill (Department of Water)? It has been referred to the committee already and at the budget hearing maybe we can tackle it right after. And with the speaker being the sponsor. Well, I would surmise that the congressmen will be cooperative. Is this bill being backed up by the President? Wala po tayong (backing up mula) sa Malacañang, but again this is a basic necessity of every household. So there is really a need for this bill to push through. You just imagine that LWUA is only catering to 22 Million. We are only catering to 22 million Filipinos, which mean 22% of the population. So our plan is to double the connectivities in the next five years. Of course, we need the support of the national government, the congress and the senate. What about the challenges? What are the challenges or hurdles in providing safe water for everyone? The challenges, number one is the source of water. We are now dependent on rivers and the deep well[s], but my thinking is what is under your feet is yours. We should yet tap what is under. We should tap the surface water but because of the climate change, the rivers are now polluted. So, we can still cope-up with all the challenges but again, what is important is the funding. What are the other pressing issues on this matter? Turn to C2
PRIME RESOURCE. The Philippines is abundant with bodies of water as well as fresh water resources. LWUA administrator Jeci Lapus (pictured below) bats for a Department of Water to facilitate all water-related services in the country. LWUA, (with their mascot “Tap” on the left) celebrates its 45th anniversary today, Sept. 18, 2018.
Jesi Lapus Photo by Peter Paul Duran