MANILA, Philippines — Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said on Saturday that cooperation and science-informed decision-making are needed to address the lack of access to potable water in the country.
During the Waste and Water Summit held on Friday, Environment Undersecretary Carlos David reported that only 74 million Filipinos have access to piped and clean water.
READ: Access to potable water, sanitation still unsure for many in PH
He also noted that 3.8 million Filipinos still practice open defecation, or defecating in open spaces, including bodies of water.
“Kailangan po ngayon cooperation, science-informed ang pag-decision at kino-cost po natin. Ang 250 billion [peso] po na sinabi kahapon ay isang estimate,” Yulo-Loyzaga said over a DZRH interview.
(We need cooperation now and science-informed decision-making, and we are assessing the cost. The P250 billion mentioned yesterday is just an estimate.)
The official was referring to the P250 billion needed to provide safe water and proper sanitation to at least 40 million people mentioned by David at the summit.
“So kailangan po ngayon ang mga LGUs (local government units) at national government makipagpulong na po talaga at i-cost po natin talaga different situations will need different investment. Kailangan po talaga ng cooperation,” she added.
(Now, the LGUs and the national government must have a meeting, and we need to assess the costs. Different situations will require different investments. Cooperation is needed.)
READ: Clean water, hygiene: Crucial in solving malnutrition, child stunting
Moreover, Yulo-Loyzaga stressed that LGUs and barangays must understand that “surface water tapping,” for now, is better than digging the ground to collect water.
“May mga lugar sa Pilipinas na talagang nauubos na po ‘yung ground-based water,” she said.
(There are places in the Philippines where the ground-based water is really running out.)