THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said Tuesday that it supported the passage of House Bill 6789, which proposes the creation of a Department of Water Resources.
The measure, among the priority bills endorsed by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council, has been approved on third reading at the House of Representatives.“We recognize that the challenges surrounding water are interconnected and evolving; therefore, strengthening governance structures today is a necessary investment in safeguarding communities, ecosystems and national development over the long term,” Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla said.The DENR described the measure as “a landmark reform that will finally unify and modernize the country’s fragmented water governance system.”“Its elevation to the national priority agenda reflects a growing consensus that water security is now a core driver of governance reform, climate resilience and long-term economic stability,” it added.Currently, water governance in the Philippines is scattered across multiple agencies.These include the DENR, National Water Resources Board, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Agriculture, Local Water Utilities Administration, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, and local government units.These offices operate under agency-specific mandates, which result in an overlap in responsibilities, and challenges in maintaining data systems, resource allocation, coordination, planning and policy formulation.HB 6789 aims to address these institutional issues by creating a Cabinet-level body in charge of national water policy, planning, allocation and conservation.By consolidating functions and strengthening cross-sector coordination, the measure positions water security as an important element of national development.“The mandate of the President is clear, and we will continue to push for reforms aligned with his agenda,” Lotilla said.“The advancement of the Water Resources Bill to the Senate, together with key environmental measures, such as the Waste Treatment Technology Bill and the Blue Economy Bill, underscores DENR’s continuing effort to strengthen policy frameworks for resource governance,” he added.
