Recently, Senator Loren Legarda of the Philippines has raised the alarm that water has become a national security concern. In order to meet acute shaortage of water he has proposed the following steps to be initiated:
• Reforest not only mountains and watersheds, but also plant in urban areas;
• Implement the Rainwater Collection Act;
• Recycle water;
• Introduce “Hydroinformatics” in schools; and
• Clean Rivers and Bays through the initiatives of the local government units and the Metro-Manila Development Authority“The time to act is now!”
While deploring the non-implementation of Republic Act No. 6716, otherwise known as the Rainwater and Spring Development Act of 1989 which has been passed twenty-one years ago, Sen. Legarda said that the law mandated the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to “undertake the construction of water wells, rainwater collectors, development of springs and rehabilitation of existing water wells in all barangays in the Philippines in such number as may be needed and feasible.”
She lamented as to why had the DPWH not constructed wells and rainwater collectors, developed springs and rehabilitated existing water wells in the more than 40, 000 barangays during the last twenty-one years? She furhter stressed: “If it had, the DPWH would have mitigated the effect of the recent water shortage. Rainwater collectors minimize flooding and make water available in preparation for drought.”
She has strongly recommended “Hydroinformatics” which is the application of information and communications technology on the efficient use of water be integrated in school curricula to generate greater awareness on water governance.
She emphasizes on empowering local officials – from the provincial to the barangay level to advance the greening, rehabilitation and protection of the different forest lands in the Philippines.
India which also faced with acute shortage of water needs leaders like Legarda who can mobilize the official support and enlighten the masses about the urgency of water conservation. This is a fit example to be emulated by us all.
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