New water department
THERE is now a renewed move in the two-chamber Congress to speed up the establishment of the proposed Department of Water Resources Management (DWRM).
This, after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned of a possible El Nino phenomenon later this year.
On March 24, weather forecasters issued an EL Nino watch, a possibility 55 percent between July and September
El Nino increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, resulting in long dry spells and droughts in some parts of the country, acording to experts.
Other parts of the country, on the other hand, may experience above-normal rainfall conditions during the so-called Southwest monsoon season (habagat).
Aware of this, AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee said the creation of the DWRM is in line with President Marcos’ overall plan to improve the water resources management.
We cannot overemphasize the importance of establishing the proposed new department since it will consolidate all government agencies concerned with water resources.
In pushing for the approval of his House Bill (HB) No. 2880, Lee pointed out that “even without El Nino, many of our farmers already suffer from the effects of water shortage.”
The party-list solon’s HB No. 2880 is among the bills pending consideration in the House of Representatives. All the bills seek to create the new department.
The DWRM will be tasked to implement necessary policy and resource reforms with respect to the management of all water resources, including irrigation, sewage and sanitation.
In the 24-member Upper House of Congress, Senator Grace Poe refiled a similar measure seeking the creation of the water department.
