Multi-stakeholder advisory panel under water regulatory body pushed

The European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ECCP) has hailed the creation of a government body to lead the crafting and implementation of policies for the country’s water sector, taking it as a positive move toward achieving water security.

In a statement emailed on Tuesday, the foreign chamber welcomed  the creation of the Water Resources Management Office (WRMO) as a transitory body pending the establishment of a Water Resource Department.

This is in reference to President Marcos Jr.’s approval last Feb.1 of the creation of the WRMO, which was established under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as a temporary body pending the creation of a department-level agency.

“In line with our long-standing advocacy of attaining water security in the Philippines, the the chamber has long called for the creation of an apex body to lead the crafting and implementation of policies and initiatives for the Philippine water sector, as well as streamline institutions to further facilitate ease of doing business in the said sector,” ECCP said in a statement.

“The creation of the WRMO is a welcomed first step in fully realizing this as it aims to strengthen collaboration among various agencies in implementing water management programs in accordance with the Integrated Water Management Plan, to be crafted by the said agency,” the business group said further.

The ECCP also urged the Philippine government to approach water resource planning using the concept of Integrated Water Resource Management, an internationally recognized framework to attain water security.

“It is based on the idea that water issues should not be approached in isolation, but rather in a more holistic manner due to the interdependence of the uses of finite water resources,” said the business group.

It also expressed its commitment to continue working with the Philippine government and other stakeholders in resolving current water-related issues.

“The ECCP, together with its environment and water committee, strongly advocates for regular multi-stakeholder engagements to be institutionalized in order to allow exchange of insights, facilitate coordination and come up with effective solutions on water-related issues,” said the ECCP.

“In this light, we highly encourage that a multi-stakeholder advisory panel be established under the WRMO with representation from the private sector, academe and civil society to serve as an additional soundboard for the said office,” it said further.

According to global nonprofit Water.org, more than 3 million people in the Philippines rely on unsafe and unsustainable water sources, while 7 million lack access to improved sanitation.

“Despite its growing economy, the Philippines faces significant challenges in terms of water and sanitation access. The country is rapidly urbanizing, and its growing cities struggle to provide new residents with adequate water and sanitation services,” said the 30-year old organization.