Duterte OKs draft of EO on water security — Nograles
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has approved “in principle” an executive (EO) order that will provide a “master plan” for water security after a water supply shortage affected thousands in Metro Manila and nearby areas, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Monday night.
“In principle, the President has already approved it [EO] during the last Cabinet meeting. So the draft has been given to the Office of the Executive Secretary already for vetting. So finalization na lang ‘yun ng draft, pipirmahan na lang ‘yun ng Pangulo (The draft will be finalized and signed by the President),” Nograles told reporters.
Among the EO’s provisions is the reconstitution of the National Water Resources Board into a body that will be responsible for the integration of all government efforts involving water.
The body is mandated to craft a national water management master plan composed of relevant and existing plans of agencies involved in the integrated water resource management (IWRM).
The EO will also seek a review of agreements with water concessionaires, the Palace official noted.
The former lawmaker added that the creation of the Department of Water should be pushed by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), the consultative and advisory body which helps the President integrate his legislative agenda with Congress.
“Tingin ko kailangan na (ilagay sa LEDAC) because of the fragmented approach (to the water supply issue) that we have,” Nograles said.
READ: Gov’t mulls creation of Department of Water
