Senate panel to discuss proposal to create water agency

The Senate committees is set to discuss Wednesday the proposed measures to establish a central water agency that would focus on water, sewerage, and sanitation and government contracts with water concessionaires.

“We need a lead agency whose ultimate responsibility would be the provision of adequate and safe water supply, not just for household and commercial needs, but for our farms,” said Senator Grace Poe said, public services committee chair who will lead the hearing.

She said what the country currently has is a fragmented regulatory framework for water that has limited powers, which has a significant impact on the delivery of water and sanitation services in the country.

The hearing will tackle the eight bills pending before the committee seeking the creation of a water agency filed by Poe, Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto, Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Senator Lito Lapid, and Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. 

It will also discuss the three bills proposing the creation of a Department of Water Resources Management filed by Senators Manny Pacquiao, Francis Tolentino, and Ronald dela Rosa.

Poe said the hearing will offer an opportunity to bring to the table questions about the government contracts with water concessionaires.

President Rodrigo Duterte recently scored water companies Maynilad and Manila Water for alleged lopsided concession agreement with the government.

The senator expressed optimism that the Senate can pass its version of the water agency bill soon, emphasizing that the water bill is on the President's list of priority legislature.

“We want assurance of the people’s right to clean and steady supply of water,” she said. — Amita Legasi/RSJ, GMA News