PBBM orders completion of water projects to avert water scarcity amid El Niño

MANILA – President Marcos issued an order yesterday for the prompt completion of all water projects across the country, whether initiated by private or public entities, in order to prevent a possible water scarcity, particularly during El Niño.

Marcos emphasized that water scarcity is no longer just a seasonal issue but an ongoing threat exacerbated by climate change.

“It is for this reason that I continually stress the urgency of improving water security, and directed agencies concerned to expedite the completion of all water projects across the country,” the President said in his speech during the inauguration of the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project.

“Any disruption to the water supply, such as the one posed by the El Niño phenomenon, which we are feeling the effects of now, degrades our quality of life, it dampens economic activities and can fuel disorder,” he said.

The Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project stands as one of the nation’s largest private bulk water supply initiatives, managed by Apo Agua Infrastructura Inc., led by Aboitiz, in collaboration with the Davao City Water District (DCWD). This project seeks to reduce Davao City’s reliance on groundwater by harnessing water from the Tamugan River.

According to Marcos, this state-of-the-art facility is not solely focused on delivering bulk water to Davao City but is also dedicated to providing its residents with clean water, thereby enhancing their quality of life.

Currently, the facility is capable of supplying 300 million liters of potable water daily to more than one million households in Davao City, the President highlighted.

He further explained that this facility aligns with the administration’s policy shift towards sourcing water from surface water bodies rather than relying on well digging.

“The Davao City Bulk Water Supply project is also a concrete step for us to lessen our reliance on limited groundwater by tapping the Tamugan River as a sustainable water source,” Marcos said.

“This is very important as we have changed policy and we are now starting to feel the effects of what we have been doing in the past, that is digging wells. And our aquifers are already starting to feel the effects and they are not being replenished enough, which is ironic because we have sufficient surface water in the Philippines. The Philippines is not a dry country,” he said.

Earlier, Marcos cautioned that El Niño, typically linked with drought, is forecasted to persist until June of the current year, posing a significant threat to the agricultural sector for the remainder of 2024.

The inauguration ceremony held yesterday was attended by Aboitiz president Sabin Aboitiz and DCWD board chair Edgardo Bangayan.