Nograles: EO on solving water issues now being finalized

MANILA, Philippines — An executive order (EO) that aims to solve the water issues in the country is now underway for President Rodrigo Duterte’s input and approval.

This was the development revealed on Sunday by Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles after the issuance was discussed during a Cabinet Assistance System meeting in Leyte last Friday.

“I believe the different agencies agree on the problems that need to be resolved to prevent the sort of water supply management issues now being experienced in Metro Manila,” Nograles said in a statement.

“At this point we have built a consensus on how we can address these issues, but the recommendations as outlined in the EO will still be subject to the approval of the President,” he added.

According to Nograles, the provisions under the draft of the EO cover the various components of integrated water resource management.

Among these provisions is the reconstitution of the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) into a body that will be responsible for policy, direction-setting, and the integration of all government efforts pertaining to water.

Nograles said that the body may be placed under Office of the President’s (OP) supervision. Currently, the NWRB is under the supervision of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

“Given the scope and breadth of water-related concerns, the supervision of OP could help ensure that all 30-plus agencies involved in water resource management are on the same page,” Nograles said.

The body is also expected to craft a national water management master plan that will integrate all relevant and existing plans and roadmaps of the different agencies that play a role in IWRM.

CAS representatives of the different agencies were “focused on finding solutions to the problem instead of dwelling on its roots,” Nograles said.

“Alam nila na para matugunan ang problema ng ating mga kababayan, mas mainam na magtulungan imbes na magturuan. I believe that this is the approach to take with any challenge facing our country,” he added. /je

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