DILG to LGUs: Hasten the Completion of Necessary Permits for Water Projects

To help avert a possible water crisis this year, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is urging all local government units (LGUs) to fast track the processing of the necessary permits for water-related projects to expedite their completion and enhance water security.

“Malaking perhuwisyo para sa ating mga kababayan kapag kulang o walang tubig. Kaya inaatasan ko ang ating mga LGUs na paspasan ang pagpoproseso ng mga kinakailangang permit para sa mga water projects upang maiwasan ang kakulangan sa tubig,” says DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año.

In Memorandum Circular No. 2019-207, Año also called on provincial governors, city and municipal mayors to make the necessary preparations and extend support to start the water- related projects in their localities such as human resources, access roads to location, and availability of materials.

“Sa mga panahong ito na marami sa ating mga kababayan ang nakakaranas na ng kakulangan sa tubig, kailangan na nating magtulungan at mabilis na aksyunan na ng mga LGUs ang mga water permits para masimulan at matapos na ang mga water projects sa kanilang lugar,” says Año.

Section 17 of the Local Government Code mandates LGUs to exercise necessary and appropriate powers and discharge functions for the efficient and effective provision of basic services and facilities.

In March last year, Metro Manila residents experienced the worst water crisis for the past several years as around 52,000 households in the east zone of the metropolis alone had to endure long lines to fetch water from firetrucks and water tanks.

“Kung hindi tayo kikilos ngayon, lalala pa ang problema natin sa tubig at tayo lang din ang mahihirapan sa bandang huli,” says Año.

Public urged to conserve water

The DILG Secretary also encourages the general public to partake in their respective communities’ initiatives to effectively manage water consumption.

“Magsilbing paalala sa atin lahat na hindi lamang nakasalalay sa gobyerno ang seguridad ng supply ng tubig. Responsibilidad ng bawat isa sa atin ang magtipid sa paggamit ng tubig,” said Año.

The DILG has been a constant advocate and stakeholder for water conservation especially amid the challenges that Metro Manila faced earlier this year.

Moreover, the DILG together in partnership with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), National Water Resource Board (NWRB), and the Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) launched “Oplan Tubig Para sa Kinabukasan” late November this year, in a bid to target social media users through a water-saving campaign.

The campaign boasts the hashtag, “#1LTubigChallenge” or Isang Litrong Tubig Challenge encourages individuals to use one liter of water in as many activities as they could through careful recycling and usage. (DILG PR)