LAPID WANTS TO ADDRESS MANILA WATER CRISIS THROUGH CREATION OF WATER RESOURCES AUTHORITY

Sen. Lito Lapid aims to address the looming water shortage in the country by pushing for the passage of a measure creating an agency that will ensure long-term sustainable management of the country's scarce water resources.

"Nais nating matugunan at masolusyunan ang problema sa tubig ng ating mga kababayan sa pamamagitan ng pagtatayo ng isang ahensiya na siyang mamamahala sa ating pinagkukunan ng tubig," Lapid said.

The returning senator also pointed out that the recent water shortage in Metro Manila is only proof of how unprepared even the country's capital is when a water crisis arises.

In order to emphasize this need for a reliable and efficient water supply in the country, Lapid has filed Senate Bill No. 52 also known as the Water Resources Management Act, which seeks to create the Water Resources Authority of the Philippines (WRAP).

According to Lapid, WRAP is a "long-term solution" to the problems faced by the water sector.

Furthermore, the bill intends to rationalize the activities of national and local government agencies that are concerned with water extraction and distribution.

Under the proposed measure, the country's water resources will be utilized and developed through an integrated water management system managed by an authority properly empowered with a defined mandate on policy-making and implementation.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), water shortage is a threat to sustainability and development of the Philippines where one out of 10 people in the country still do not have access to improved water sources.