PH is neglecting water infrastructure

BLESSED with rich water resources, the Philippines is poor in infrastructure to exploit and conserve its most precious asset. The advent of the El Niño weather phenomenon, or extended drought, is sending jitters to national and local government officials. The dry spell is leading to water rationing in the capital region and dry irrigation canals in the provinces―a bane for our Filipino farmers.

Yet, El Niño would have been a minor inconvenience for many Filipinos if policymakers and local government leaders treated the water supply quagmire with more resolve. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is more earnest―he has called on the world to safeguard water resources to avert conflict and ensure future global prosperity.

For the UN chief, water is “the most precious common good” and “needs to be at the center of the global political agenda.”

He knows whereof he speaks. Between two and three billion people worldwide experience water shortages, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and UN-Water in the latest edition of the UN World Water Development Report.

The global urban population facing water scarcity, says the report, is projected to double from 930 million in 2016 to 1.7 billion 2.4 billion people in 2050. The growing incidence of extreme and prolonged droughts is also stressing ecosystems, with dire consequences for both plant and animal species.

Here in the Philippines, not much is being done to alleviate water scarcity, especially in times of drought.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has noted that the unusual warming of sea surface temperatures along the equatorial Pacific has already developed into a weak El Niño and showed signs of strengthening in the coming months. El Niño refers to below-normal rainfall conditions, which will adversely impact on water resources, agriculture, energy, health and public safety.

The little rainfall has reduced the reservoir level at Angat Dam, the major source of water for Metro Manila and surrounding provinces. It has dropped to 179.23 meters Monday, below its minimum operating level of 180 meters and more than 20 meters below the normal high water level of 210 meters.

The dipping reservoir level has forced the National Water Resources Board to trim the raw water allocation for Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System’s two concessionaires to 48 cubic meters per second effective July 8.

About 591,000 customers of Maynilad Water Services Inc., which distributes water to the western zone of the urban capital region, are suffering from a ninehour water interruption because of the lower allocation from Angat. As I’ve written before here, the Philippines’ growing urban population will remain mired in a Third World setting if the water infrastructure remains in the post World War II era.

For decades, Metro Manila and its adjacent provinces have solely relied on the water provided by the 50-year-old Angat Dam. The dependence on a single source of water is untenable―the Philippine population has increased exponentially since the establishment of the dam.

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, meanwhile, is taking a long time to construct the Kaliwa Dam that will serve as the second major reservoir for the 50-year old Angat dam.

Similar dams or water-impounding facilities should be built across Luzon to conserve this God-given resource. Hundreds of river systems criss-cross the main Philippine island and they merely empty into Manila Bay, West Philippine Sea or Pacific Ocean without being harnessed. Building water infrastructure is as essential as developing toll roads, airports and seaports across the nation.

A 33-year old law, in the meantime, is not being put into use to alleviate the water supply scarcity. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara back in 2019 called for the full implementation of Republic Act 6716, or the Rainwater Collector and Springs Development Act of 1989, in the wake of a similar water shortage in most parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

The law requires the construction of rainwater collectors in every barangay to prevent flooding and ensure the uninterrupted provision of clean water during dry seasons. Rainwater harvesting offers a practical and immediate solution to the country’s water supply problem, the lawmaker said at that time.

“While we all wait for the construction of new dams, which may take years to complete, LGUs (local government units) should practice rainwater harvesting because it is a practical solution that will have direct impact on the grassroots,” he added.

The law has tasked the Department of Public Works and Highways to build water wells and rainwater collectors, develop springs and rehabilitate existing water wells in all barangays in the Philippines.

That was followed by reports that further growth-boosting measures and data showing new loans in the country had picked up in June thanks to a central bank interest rate cut.

Optimism is now building for more announcements aimed at kick starting the world’s number two economy as its postCovid recovery sputters.

“Overall, China’s data and news flow, along with market reaction, highlight Beijing’s challenge, against a backdrop of anaemic demand,” said National Australia Bank’s Rodrigo Catril.

“A meaningful fiscal spending announcement is what is needed for markets to become more positive on China.”

Hong Kong was again the stand-out performer thanks to gains in tech stocks, while Sydney, Singapore, Seoul, Taipei, Bangkok and Jakarta were also up.

London, Paris and Frankfurt also advanced, but Shanghai, Tokyo, Mumbai and Wellington were all lower.

Wednesday sees the week’s main event, the release of the US consumer price index, which forecasts suggest will show a further softening. That is followed by producer prices Thursday.

“Investors appear to be positioning for another decline in both core and headline,” said SPI Asset Management’s Stephen Innes.

“The key question is whether the data will beat consensus expectations and cause the Fed to take notice.” With AFP a public charge. of good moral character. believe the principles underlying the Philippine Constitution. have conducted myself a proper and irreproachable manner during the entire period of my residence the Philippines in my relations with the constituted government as well as with the community in which am living. I mingled socially with Filipinos and have evinced a sincere desire to learn and embrace the customs, traditions and ideals of the Filipino people. have all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications under Republic Act No. 9139. am not opposed to organized government or affiliated with any association or group of persons who uphold and teach doctrines opposing all organized governments. am not defending or teaching the necessity or propriety of violence, personal assault or assassination for the success and predominance of one's ideas. I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy. I have not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude. I am not suffering from mental alienation or from any incurable contagious disease. The country of which I am a citizen or subject is not at war with the Philippines and grants to Filipinos the right to be naturalized

ITR and the company’s Proof of Payment of Taxes must also be submitted, aside from the submission of petitioner’s own ITR and tax documents and Proof of Payment of Taxes. Note: The company’s latest GIS (General Information Sheet), which was submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the financial statements of the company, which was submitted to the BIR/appropriate government agency, must also be submitted. ✔ Duly notarized Affidavits of at least two (2) credible and disinterested witnesses who must be Filipino citizens (preferably natural-born citizens of the Philippines) of good repute in their community, and have no criminal record Note: submit National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance of character witnesses; also submit a copy of the ID which the character witness used in the notarization of the affidavit) [Note character witness must attest in the affidavit: (a) that he/she has known petitioner for at least 10 years or more (must also indicate how he/she got acquainted with the petitioner); (b) the good moral character of the petitioner (and how he/she mingles with Filipinos and the society); (c) that in his/her own opinion, petitioner has all the qualifications necessary to become a citizen of the Philippines and none of the disqualifications provided for by law);

✔ Medical Certificate from a government hospital stating that petitioner is not suffering from mental alienation, or a user of prohibited drugs or otherwise a drug dependent, and that he/she is not afflicted with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or any incurable contagious disease [please attach the following to the certificate: (1) Neuro-Psychiatric Evaluation Report (from a duly licensed psychiatrist (who is a medical doctor), not a psychologist); (2) Laboratory Test Results for Drugs Test and HIV