Momo presides over DPWH, NIA meeting for effective water use
IN his continuous efforts to support the priority programs of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and House Speaker Martin G. Romualdez, Surigao del Sur 1st District Rep. Romeo Momo led a three-day briefing to tackle the planned convergence projects, from flood control to sabo dams and water catchment basins, of the water agencies and come up with solutions to address water shortage and effective water utilization.
The series of meetings, which were held from May 20 to 22, 2024 at the House of Representatives’ Andaya Hall, sought to address the problem of potable water inaccessibility to some 40 million Filipinos, which the President earlier highlighted as one of his agendas.
It brought together the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which Momo was once an undersecretary of, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and lawmakers from different political parties.
“I fully support the President’s and the Speaker’s wish to converge water related projects of these two agencies. During the rainy season, we lots of water even resulting to floodinh while during dry season or worse, during El Nino, water supply is a big concern. We have to do something to properly and effectively utilize our water resources so that this recurring problem due to climate change will be addressed,” the lawmaker said.
Momo, an engineer by profession, and Chair of the House Committee on Public Works and Highways also expressed his gratitude to the Chief Executive and the House Speaker, for putting into perspective the water woes that beset the country.
“The President is right in saying that water is a national issue that must be addressed on a national level. We see now that water shortage isn’t just a problem in the provinces and the agriculture sector, but also in our mega-cities that then impact the public, businesses, schools, and many others,” he said.
“It is high time for us to, once and for all, bring solutions to the table and ensure that the public can and will benefit from them,” the congressman added.
In a sectoral meeting at Malacañang last week, Marcos called for the reorganization of the functions of various water agencies because of the need to balance the water requirements for irrigation, household, and industrial use.
He also instructed DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan to integrate the agency’s flood control management programs with the other sectors to conserve water for irrigation, as well as household and power generation use.
