Group launches Water Alliance to address looming supply problem

Twenty industry-leading companies in the Philippines on Friday launched the Water Alliance to address issues and solutions to looming water supply problems in the country.

The Water Alliance was formed with help from the German Federal Enterprise for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and with the recognition that Philippine economic development is threatened by a lack of a strategy to mitigate the effects of climate change.

The initiative groups the Philippine Daily Inquirer Inc., Aboitiz Group of Companies, Chennai Institute of Business Intelligence, Coca-Cola Philippines and Coca-Cola Femsa, Dow Chemical Pacific Ltd., Energy Development Corp., Lafarge Holcim Ltd., HSBC, Mabuhay Vinyl Corp., Manila Water Co. Inc., Maynilad Water Service Inc., Manila Electric Co., Nestlé Philippine Inc., Pepsi Philippines and Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Roxas Holdings Inc., Smart Communications, Splash Corp., Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. and Unilever Philippines.

“We hope to be the voice of the industry in advocating for the necessary policies that will address the challenges in water that the country is facing,” said Edgar O. Chua, Water Alliance CEO champion.

“We invite more companies to join [the alliance] and contribute to efforts addressing water security and access,” Chua said during the launch rites at the InterContinental Manila.

Citing government data, Chua said that only half of the Philippine population had access to a reliable communal water system while only less than 30 percent enjoyed direct supply service in their homes.

“This shortfall has serious impacts on economic growth, health and overall development of the country,” he added.

Chua said that the Water Alliance would begin by focusing on easily achieved goals, such as the provision of water facilities in off-grid areas and lowering their water footprint.

Participating companies were encouraged to adopt a barangay or a watershed and help shore up the water situation in these areas.

According to the alliance, the Philippines was using up more than double the average world withdrawal of water per person per year such that scarcity is being experienced in many parts of the country.