Manila Water backs creation of Department of Water

Ayala-led Manila Water Co. Inc. is supporting the idea of creating a new department in charge of water supply and services as this will improve efficiency in addressing issues involving the resource.

"Manila Water supports the idea of the creation of a Department of Water because there are 32 agencies right now making decisions on water issues so it's fragmented," Manila Water president and CEO Ferdinand dela Cruz said during a roundtable discussion with the members of the GMA News and Public Affairs team on Friday in Quezon City.

"The country can benefit if it will be organized under one department with unified policy and implementation planning," Dela Cruz said.

The creation of a new department, which needs legislation, was brought up during the Cabinet’s discussion last April on mitigating the effects of El Niño and water shortage.

In June, the House Committees on Public Works and Highways and Natural Resources adopted House Bill 8068 which seeks the creation of the Department of Water, Irrigation, Sewage and Sanitation Resource Management. 

Considering that the 17th Congress was about to close that time, then-Speaker Gloria Arroyo, asked the committee to endorse the measure creating the Department of Water to the next Congress should they approve it.

Dela Cruzsaid Manila Water is willing to take part in the process of creating the Department of Water.

"We like to be involved in shaping a Department of Water... so that our existing arrangements won't be affected because it might have effect on our customers," he said.

"Manila Water believes we need to have a master plan for the country for water and sanitation and a Department of Water will be instrumental to do this," he said. — RSJ, GMA News