DPWH: ‘Restructuring’ of water sector underway

MANILA, Philippines—The government is crafting a road map that will, in effect, “restructure” the water sector—from sourcing to household distribution, irrigation, and the establishment of hydropower facilities.

Public Works Secretary Rogelio L. Singson is leading an interagency team created in late 2011 to draw up the road map, said President Aquino during the Water Loss 2012 conference co-hosted by the International Water Association with Manila Water Company Inc. and Maynilad Water Services Inc.

According to Singson, there are 30 or so different agencies and “instrumentalities” doing water-related functions.

“There’s the NWRB [National Water Resources Board], DA [Department of Agriculture], DENR [Department of Environment and Natural Resources], LWUA [Local Water Utilities Administration], MWSS [Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System], and many more,” Singson said.

Yet, he pointed out, the Philippines is utilizing only about 28 percent of the water coming from different sources.

The interagency team is still consolidating data and inputs from the water sector. It will soon draw up a budget and an overall plan. Whether some agencies may be closed or reorganized has not been determined, Singson told reporters.

The interagency is also set to consider whether PPP projects may be developed to meet targets under the soon-to-be-unveiled water road map, he said.

“We’re submitting a proposal (to President Aquino) after Lent,” Singson explained.

Industry leaders expressed confidence that Singson, who used to be in the water distribution sector, will come up with a comprehensive plan that will allow the public and private sectors to work together.

Maynilad president Victorico P. Vargas and Manila Water group director for Regulation and Corporate Development Virgilio C. Rivera Jr. said that their respective companies are helping the MWSS with a water security plan for Metro Manila so that use of the resource can be optimized.

Metro Manila is currently dependent on the Angat Reservoir, sourcing 97 percent of household supply from the facility in Bulacan. Angat is a multipurpose dam for hydropower, water supply, irrigation and flood control.

In late 2011, Aquino signed Executive Order 62, which transferred the LWUA from the Department of Health to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and created an interagency committee on the water sector.

DPWH is the lead agency in the committee, which also includes the National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Budget and Management, Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Office of the President.

“EO 62 directed a task force … basically to put a little bit more order into the water sector,” Singson said.