NEDA PUSHES FOR CENTRAL AGENCY, RELEVANT DATA TO IMPROVE WATER RESOURCES SECTOR MANAGEMENT
MANILA—Government must actively address institutional fragmentation, lack of reliable data and scientific decision support systems, and inadequate provision of water-related infrastructure to achieve national and local targets in the water sector, according to the recently released Socioeconomic Report (SER): 2010-2012 of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
“The SER notes that fragmentation continues to dampen effective management of water resources. We must aggressively address the issue by, among others, formulating a framework for the creation of an apex body for the sector,” said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan.
Recently, the NEDA and the Department of Public Works and Highways spearheaded a study on the development of a Philippine Water Resources Sector Development Plan to address fragmentation and the lack of leadership in the sector. The study also provides a comprehensive framework on the integration of all development plans in the water sector.
“This study reaffirmed the need for a central agency to govern management of the country’s water resources to be called the National Water Resources Management Office. The next step includes executive approval and adoption,” the Cabinet official said.
The SER also said that the government will continue to pursue the integrated water resources management (IWRM) approach as the overall strategy in the water resources sector.
“IWRM promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land, and related resources to optimize economic and social welfare without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems,” said Balisacan, who is also NEDA Director-General.
Meanwhile, the SER said that the lack of updated, harmonized, and comprehensive data and statistics in the water sector hinders effective planning, target setting and implementation in the sector.
“This further aggravates the difficulties in implementation and coordination among related water sector agencies that cascade to initiatives of local government units. This makes it difficult to assess and address the sustainability of developed infrastructure,” he said.
Balisacan noted that conflicting reported statistics poses difficulties in tracking improvements undertaken by agencies against national targets. He added that various data issues include different and conflicting sources of data, lack of adequate disaggregation and definitions, different parameters and methodologies used, among others.
In terms of actual infrastructure provision, mixed achievements were seen in the first two years of implementing the Philippine Development Plan: 2011-2016.
“Notably, the provision of potable water supply has seen the most improvement given the combined efforts of government and the private sector. Equally critical, however, is sustainability of the water systems provided,” said Balisacan.
On the other hand, observable outcomes have not yet been clearly manifested for sanitation, sewerage and septage, irrigation and flood management.
For sanitation, the SER reported that 60 percent of all barangays in the country are still being targeted to be declared as open defecation-free by 2016. On the other hand, the achievement of targets for sewerage and septage management is already anchored on the successful implementation of the recently approved National Sewerage and Septage Management Program.
Infrastructure for irrigation provision is affected by the combined effects of typhoons, inefficient operation and maintenance, land conversion and weak management capacities, which have affected the agricultural productivity in the country.
Meanwhile, in spite of flood control management being provided and improved throughout the country, challenges are being brought by rapid urbanization, pollution of water sources, degradation of major river systems and watersheds, and climate change risks.
“A shifting to river basin flood management approach is being undertaken, with master plans being completed to guide the roll-out of projects and programs in the latter part of the plan period,” he said.
The SER: 2010-2012 is an assessment of the first two years of the Aquino administration in relation to the targets and strategies set in the PDP: 2011-2016.
M.R. No. 2013-024
20 February 2013
