AKO Bicol Party List Representative and Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Rep. Elizaldy Co, has been addressing the water crisis in the Bicol Region for several years through the implementation of their solar-powered water supply system.
With Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno’s recent announcement of a looming water crisis by 2040, Co’s efforts are more important now than ever.
According to Diokno, weak and fragmented institutional structures, competing priorities in water infrastructure, and unequal access to basic water and sanitation services are the root causes of water insecurity in the country. The Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2020 Annual Poverty Indicators Survey also revealed that approximately 10 percent of Filipino families still rely on unsafe water sources and lack access to quality sanitation facilities.
Co recognized this problem years ago and has taken action by providing sustainable and reliable water supply to rural, upland, and poor communities in the Bicol Region through their solar-powered water supply system. By harnessing the power of the sun, this system ensures a consistent and cost-effective supply of clean water to communities that need it the most.
“I firmly believe that access to clean and safe water is a basic human right,” said Congressman Co. “We cannot afford to wait until 2040 to take action. We must act now to address the water crisis and ensure that every Filipino has access to safe and clean water.”
Under the leadership of House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Congress has allocated 10 billion pesos in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2023 for the Solar Powered Water Supply System under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). This marks a significant milestone toward addressing the water crisis looming over the country and is the first time such an initiative has been introduced in Congress. The Solar Powered Water Supply System project under the DPWH will be based on the current project of Ako Bicol Party List, which provides sustainable and reliable water supply to rural, upland, and poor communities in the Bicol Region through their solar-powered water supply system.
The Solar Powered Water Supply System is an innovative solution that uses solar energy to pump and distribute water to households and communities. It provides a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional water supply systems that rely on non-renewable energy sources like diesel. The project aims to provide access to clean water in remote and underserved areas, improving the lives of thousands of Filipinos.
“We must prioritize water security, especially in areas that are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The solar-powered water supply system is just one of the many solutions that we can implement to ensure access to clean and safe water for all.” Co said.
Co expressed his support for the Philippine Water Supply and Sanitation Master Plan, which aims to achieve universal access to safe, sufficient, affordable, and sustainable water supply, hygiene, and sanitation by 2030. He also emphasized the need to expand funding to include innovative financing schemes and establish a robust network of government and private financial institutions in rural areas.
