PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. approved on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, the creation of the Water Resource Management Office (WRMO) in a bid to ensure its sufficient supply across the country.
In a multi-sectoral meeting in Malacañang, Marcos highlighted the government’s need to manage the country’s water resources and respond to the current environmental challenges through a concerted effort with the help of all sectors of society.
The WRMO will operate under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and will be a transitory body pending the creation of a Water Resources Department.
Its main functions include formulating and ensuring the implementation of the Integrated Water Management Plan (IWMP), which will integrate various plans of different agencies.
The President noted the need for planning, which will serve as a roadmap for waste management agencies.
“Kaya nga kailangan sumunod sa plano (That's why we have 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,” said Marcos.
“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,” he added.
The President said the WRMO’s first action should be for the reduction of the country’s reliance on groundwater and deep wells, as well as managing surface water supply.
He said he will issue an executive order to enable the National Water Resources Board, MWSS and LWUA and the other water-related agencies of the DENR to have a collaborative mechanism under the WRMO for the implementation of water management programs. (SunStar Philippines)