A proposal seeking to create an inter-agency body that will be tasked to help the government address the imminent water crisis has hurdled committee level at the House of Representatives.

The House Committee on Public Works and Highways, chaired by Surigao del Sur Representative Romeo Momo Sr., has approved House Bill 6345, creating an inter-agency body that will propose, formulate, draft and direct the implementation of a comprehensive master plan to address the looming water crisis.

Under the measure, the inter-agency body shall be vested with the power to call on any government body and private sector agencies, which can contribute to solving the crisis.

Bulacan Representative Lorna Silverio, author of the bill, said the country has experienced various water shortages that impacted households, communities and the nation over the past two decades.

“Given the vital importance of water to the everyday lives, leaders of the nation should be alarmed and should act today to avert a devastating water shortage,” Silverio said in a news release on Thursday.

“Even with the La Niña season, when there is supposed to be an abundance of water supply, the nation, particularly the National Capital Region (NCR), experiences water shortages that adversely impact on communities and business operations,” she added.

Silverio stressed the need for a proactive planning and action and mobilizing public and private agencies to pool needed knowledge and information to solve the water problem.

“The need for proactive planning and action is made more urgent as the looming water crisis comes at a time when the world and the country continue to battle the ravages and challenges of the Covid pandemic,” she said.

“While water rationing is a stop-gap solution, a long-term solution that will assure a sustainable supply of clean, potable water must be put in place urgently,” she added.

Last week, Malacañang has directed all national government agencies and instrumentalities to ensure the strict implementation of water conservation measures to thwart the possible shortage of supply amid the looming El Niño phenomenon.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, by authority of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., signed on June 7 Memorandum Circular (MC) 22, mandating all government offices to identify and implement “specific, quantifiable, and attainable” water conservation measures that will result in 10 percent water volume reduction of their respective first quarter water consumption.

Under MC 22, the Water Resources Management Office (WRMO) and its network of agencies with water-related functions will take the lead in implementing a nationwide water conservation program, in coordination with other relevant government agencies.

The WRMO, created under Executive Order 22 inked by Marcos on April 27, is the apex government body in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) tasked to harmonize government efforts and oversee the implementation of the Water Resources Management Plan to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water resources in the country. (PNA)