Senator JV Ejercito is calling for a major overhaul in how the Philippines manages its water resources, urging the government to create a Department of Water Resources Management. He warned of what he called a “dangerous disconnect” among agencies handling water infrastructure, saying that poor coordination between flood control projects and environmental experts is putting the country’s water security at risk.
During a Senate deliberation on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget, Ejercito said several flood control projects have moved forward without consulting the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). “It is disheartening that even crucial flood control projects have moved forward without proper consultation with the DENR, the experts on where and how water flows,” he said.
Ejercito noted that this lack of coordination often leads to short-sighted solutions—massive flooding during the rainy season followed by severe drought during the dry months. “Every rainy season, we have abundant water, yet during the dry season, there is scarcity. This should not happen if we plan and manage our water properly,” he added.
He also pointed out that many infrastructure projects prioritize diverting water to the sea instead of developing systems for storage and reuse. Without science-based planning, Ejercito warned that anomalous projects and technical mismanagement would persist.
To address the issue, he pushed for the establishment of a centralized agency through the proposed Department of Water Resources Management. The new department would unify all flood control, dam, and irrigation initiatives under one strategy, curbing redundancy and corruption while ensuring sustainable water conservation.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon echoed Ejercito’s concern, reporting that poorly designed flood control structures have worsened flooding in some areas instead of preventing it. “This is not a laughing matter,” Ejercito said. “Water is becoming scarcer every day worldwide. We need a full-fledged agency to prevent mismanagement, coordinate all projects, and safeguard this vital resource for every Filipino.”
