Madelaine B. Miraflor (Manila Bulletin)
There is now a move in the government to create an integrated governing body, or something like a Department of Water, that will administer the efficient distribution of water throughout the country.
National Water Regulatory Board (NWRB) Executive Director Sevillo David Jr. said the plan to establish Department of Water is now being discussed at the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) as one of the legislative agenda this administration is pushing for.
“It’s going to be a legislative process. We are hoping that it will happen (within this administration) because President Rodrigo Duterte earlier had a pronouncement saying that within his administration, he will centralize the management of water,” David said in an interview on the sidelines of FINEX Forum on Water Security. According to him, NWRB is now coordinating with some members of the House of Representative in the drafting of the bill that will legislate the creation of Department of Water.
“The idea is that all the offices will be consolidated, that’s one option. And another option is that aside from the Department of Water is the creation of Water Regulatory Commission. As of now, there are different water districts and local government units regulating the industry. The idea is try to unify the regulation,” David further said.