Published on 10 December 2024
By ANNA FELICIA BAJO, GMA Integrated News
The bill pushing for the creation of the Department of Water Resources is targeted to be passed before the end of the 19th Congress.
This was according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) following the 7th meeting of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) on Monday.
In a press release issued Tuesday, NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan highlighted that the creation of the DWR would help the country in mitigating floods and managing agricultural productivity.
Balisacan pointed out that by integrating the country’s governance and regulation of water resources, the DWR can contribute to efforts which aims to achieve water security.
“The recurring devastation caused by heavy typhoons necessitates that we prepare for our country’s future and safety,” Balisacan said.
“The DWR will be mandated to coordinate with relevant agencies on the construction of water projects, which will improve our irrigation and flood management,” he added.
The establishment of the DWR and the accompanying Water Regulatory Commission is listed as one of the top priority bills under the LEDAC Common Legislative Agenda (CLA), according to NEDA.
During the meeting, the LEDAC also discussed the progress of other CLA bills, including the amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers, and the National Government Rightsizing Program.
So far, a total of 29 of the 64 measures under CLA have been signed into law.