Lawmakers cite advantages of merging DPWH, NIA water projects

Workers put up a drainage system at the Marikina Riverbanks in Provident Village, Marikina to control flooding in the city. (INQUIRER/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE)

MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Surigao del Sur 1st District Rep. Romeo Momo believe the convergence program of government would not only address flooding.

They said it would also provide water supply for the farmlands.

The program involves the merging of water-related projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the National Irrigation Authority (NIA).

The lawmakers said it coincides with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision of linking flood control efforts to water management strategies.

According to Romualdez, DPWH will be tasked with flood control, while NIA will initiate water conservation drives.

He said the projects will lead to an efficient use of the country’s water resources and hopefully, achieve rice self-sufficiency.

“This would lead us to, I believe, rice self-sufficiency due to higher productivity before the term of the President ends in 2028,” he said during a meeting on effective water use at the Batasang Pambansa complex on Wednesday.

“That’s the target. That’s the goal. That’s our aspiration and I believe we’re on our way to that,” he pointed out.

“The vision of our President is unique, through the integration of this vision by the administrator of the NIA, implemented efficiently with the expertise of the Public Works,” he noted.

READ: Marcos orders concerned agencies to expedite PH water projects 

For his part, Momo expressed support for the convergence program.

The lawmaker heads the House committee on public works and highways.

He presided over the meeting on the convergence program.

“I fully support the President’s and the Speaker’s wish to converge water-related projects of these two agencies,” he said.

“During the rainy season, we have lots of water, even resulting in flooding while during (the) dry season or worse, during El Nino, water supply is a big concern,” he explained.

“We have to do something to properly and effectively utilize our water resources so that this recurring problem due to climate change will be addressed,” he added.

READ: Marcos wants reorganized gov’t functions to address water problems

The series of meetings on the convergence program were held from May 20 to May 22 at the Andaya Hall in the House of Representatives.

The meeting seeks to solve the problem wherein some 40 million Filipinos have no access to potable water.

The events take place after a sectoral meeting in Malacañang, wherein the President called for the reorganization of the functions of various water agencies.