Marikina City First District Representative Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro
ALARMED by fragmented water governance, Marikina City First District Representative Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro on Thursday, July 3, filed House Bill No. 1252 to establish a single national body tasked with ensuring that all Filipinos can access clean and dependable water.
The measure seeks to address long-standing problems in the country’s water governance.
Cong. Teodoro said the system has remained “fragmented and uncoordinated” for years, despite the Philippines being a water-rich nation. He stressed that Filipinos continue to suffer from poor water access and sanitation services not because of scarcity, but because of bureaucratic inefficiencies.
“Yet, many of our people are deprived of efficient access to affordable, safe, and reliable potable water and to proper sanitation services,” the lawmaker said in the bill’s explanatory note.
“This is because the governance and maintenance of our water resources remains fragmented and uncoordinated.”
According to the bill, more than 30 government agencies at both the national and local levels are implementing disconnected and overlapping policies and programs. This has slowed down the delivery of vital water infrastructure and services.
To solve this, Teodoro proposes the creation of a Department of Water Resources.
He noted that this agency will serve as the lead office responsible for water policy-making, management, and coordination across the Philippines.
All government bodies handling water-related tasks would be brought under this department to reduce duplication and ensure long-term planning, the lawmaker added.
“The bill proposes to create the Department of Water Resources to serve as the primary agency responsible for national policy-making, coordination, and management of all the water resources in the Philippines,” the explanatory note reads.
“All government agencies related to water shall be rationalized under this Department.”
Also, Cong. Teodoro advocates for the use of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) as the new national framework. This approach promotes balance between development, conservation, and equitable access.
“IWRM promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land, and related resources in order to maximize economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems and the environment.”
The bill likewise calls for the creation of an independent Water Regulatory Commission. This body will ensure that water and sanitation services are delivered consistently and fairly, with full transparency and accountability.
“The bill also proposes to create an independent Water Regulatory Commission to ensure the effective and adequate delivery of water and sanitation services throughout the country under a credible, transparent, and accountable regulatory framework.”
Cong. Teodoro said the measure is ultimately about ensuring that every Filipino, especially those in underserved communities, can enjoy the basic human right to safe and clean water.
