QUEZON CITY (PIA) - President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is confident that the newly-created Water Resource Management Office (WRMO) will include El Niño – a warm climate pattern that usually results in concerns on water supply due to drought and dry spells, in its top priorities in the coming years. 

According to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) El Niño may still persist until 2024. This weather phenomenon is not new for the Philippines, the last El Niño event in the country was recorded in 2018 until 2019. 

During a Pag-IBIG Fund event, Marcos reiterates the goal behind the creation of the WRMO and the ongoing establishment of the Department of Water Management as soon as House Bills materialize. He says that these government offices are there to “precisely address this problem.”   

Aside from the effects of El Niño, the President and head of the Department of Agriculture (DA) is well-aware that the country has problems with water, particularly in the agricultural sector. Thus, part of the responsibilities of the new office on water is the development and building of infrastructure that could maximize the water sources in the country. 

“We are going to shift from the majority of water sources now which is kumukuha tayo [sa balon] … What we really should be doing is taking advantage of surface water,” Marcos said. 

The Chief Executive also underscores the immediate actions in order to address this water crisis. 

“We kept postponing (solving) this problem over the many, many years at every level. So, it’s time to put it together, to put in a cohesive plan," he adds.  

The President looks forward to executing these plans guided by water management practices across the world. 

He previously expressed his intentions of providing every Filipino with clean and fresh water, as well as better irrigation systems to improve their livelihood. This is also one of the priority legislative measures of his administration.

The Water Resource Management Office will be attached to the Office of the President and with the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to address environmental challenges and water management in the country, among others. (MVMV – PIA CPSD)