SENATORIAL candidate Francis Tolentino has warned that the country will experience water shortage by 2025.
Tolentino, who served as the ninth chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority from 2010 to 2015, issued the statement during a press briefing at the residence of Second Disrict Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo after the campaign sortie of Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) Friday, February 15.
Hugpong ng Pagbabago is a regional party formed by Presidential Daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
"By 2025, we will have water shortage in the whole Philippines. Ngayon hindi pa rin ina-announce ng Pagasa kung kailan ang pag pasok ng El Nino [phenomenon] pero if you check sa Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte putok putok na ang lupa, bitak bitak na. Ang ibig sabihin niyan ay kailangan talagang magtipid tayo sa tubig (Pagasa has not yet announced when the El Nino will be but if you check in Pagudpud, the soil is already dry and cracked. That means we really have to save on water)," Tolentino said.
The HNP senatorial candidate said that water preservation is part of his advocacy.
"Eighty percent ng requirement natin sa manufacturing and infrastructure, may Build, Build, Build tayo kailangan natin ay tubig. Seventy percent ay domestic consumption, saan tayo kukuha ng tubig (Eighty percent of our requirement is water in manufacturing and Build, Build, Build infrastructure. Seventy percent is for domestic consumption. Where will get water?)" Tolentino said.
He said one of his proposals is to create an agency to encompass MWSS, LWUA, National Water Resources Board, National Irrigation Administration, in a Department of Water similar to the water department in Pakistan.
"Para sila na lahat ang magre-regulate ng tubig, conservation and sourcing ng tubig, et cetera (So all of them will regulate the use of water, conservation and sourcing)," Tolentino said.
He also expressed support for the rehabilitation of the Manila Bay.
But Tolentino said that all establishments draining into the Manila Bay should be monitored and regulated.
"Not only restaurants near and along Manila Bay. Even Pasay Road restaurants contribute to the pollution of Manila Bay.
Other HNP candidates include Senator Cynthia Villar, Taguig Representative Pia Cayetano, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, Bureau of Corrections Chief Ronald dela Rosa, former special assistant to the President Bong Go, Senator JV Ejercito, former senator Jinggoy Estrada, Maguindanao 2nd District Representative Zajid Mangudadatu, Senator Koko Pimentel, Senator Sonny Angara, and former TV reporter Jiggy Manicad.