water crisis in the philippines essay

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Global water shortages: a philippines case study.

Rosalina Palanca-Tan , Ateneo de Manila University Follow

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Water constraint is a global problem that afflicts both developing and developed countries. More than a fourth, 2.1 out of 7.5 billion people worldwide still lack safely managed drinking water. This water shortage is the result of rapid population growth and poor governance that led to failure to put up the necessary water supply infrastructure and systems to meet the growing demand for water of a rapidly increasing population. In the Philippines, 9 million out of 101 million Filipinos still suffer from unimproved, unsafe and unsustainable water sources. Inadequate and intermittent water supply afflicts not only rural areas and low-income urban cities but also even the foremost urban center, Metro Manila. Governance issues and inefficiencies of government-managed water utilities result in poor access to adequate water both in terms of quantity and quality. Relying heavily on primary data collection methods — focus group discussion, key informant interview and a comprehensive household survey, this paper looks into the water provision aspect of the Philippine government’s housing program. Despite a stated imperative for adequate water provision in government housing program, failure of the designated water utility to put up the necessary water supply infrastructure that could meet the water requirements of the resident households results in several unmonitored small-scale water suppliers of highly-priced but poor quality water. The survey of household water purchases reveal that households buying water from the alternative small-scale water suppliers (neighbors with jetmatic pump wells and water tankers) pay more than 5-times but consume just about half of the consumption of those already served by the water utility, reflecting an overly constrained consumption that has wide-ranging health and well-being implications.

Recommended Citation

Palanca-Tan, R. (2020). Global water shortages: A Philippines case study. The Journal of Social, Political, and Economic Studies, 45(1/2), 46–62. https://www.proquest.com/docview/2395271609?pq-origsite=gscholar&fromopenview=true

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What the PH needs now to solve a water crisis

With the onset of La Niña, we cannot just wait for legislation to solve our water problems. During his State of the Nation Address, President Marcos announced the creation of a Department of Water Resources as a key legislative measure. Since it is uncertain when Congress will act upon it, we must take action now.

Water is a prerequisite for sustainable development. Last Sept. 7 during the general assembly of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), leadership council member Alyansa Agrikultura brought up the need for coordination among 32 water-related agencies in government.

What went before?

In 2018, a joint legislative-executive private sector committee was formed to address the water crisis. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) had placed the Philippines at the bottom third of 48 countries in terms of water governance.

As the committee’s private sector secretary general, I followed the guidance of University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Water Center chair Patricia Sanchez and National Water Resources Board Executive Director Bill David. They helped produce a water governance report comprised of seven volumes, with each volume authored by a different UPLB dean.

These formed the basis for seven water presummits around the country, culminating in an action plan by the Office of the President, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda). The three top action items decided upon were: the creation of a Department of Water; the strengthening of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) through adequate funding for 18 major Water Basin Management Councils; and the significant improvement of our 4-percent water harvesting rate.

As a result, our governance rating according to ADB improved from a score of “1” in 2013 to a “2” in 2016 and then a “3” in 2020. But our goal really is a “5.” Unfortunately, the momentum was stopped because of other political priorities.

The coordination achieved during the committee’s nine-month work motivated the Neda to draft an executive order creating an oversight water coordinating committee reporting to the President. This would be operating while the Water Department legislation was being considered.

Alas, the legislation nor the executive order materialized.

At the SDSN general assembly, there was agreement that this executive order should be resurrected. Coordination among the 32 water-related agencies will also result in the effective implementation of the IWRM approach done through the 18 major Water Basin Management Councils and the significant improvement of our dismal water harvesting rate.

Issues such as those raised by GRS Holdings chair Joe Simeon in his letter to Management Association of the Philippines members cannot be addressed effectively sans coordination. He said, “With the impending food shortage of China and India, there is no way to source our food except to produce in our country. We must store water so farmers can plant during the dry season.”

He also suggested to:

1. Rehabilitate all river water basins in all areas in the farmland and impound water till the dry season using heavy equipment from the DPWH or private contractors;

2. Start construction of a series of Sabo dams where we can impound water from the higher to lower levels of the rivers;

3. Construct or rehabilitate irrigation canals;

4. Subsidize or finance solar power pumps with concrete water impounding tanks, where water can be stored even during the dry season;

5. Land Bank of the Philippines or the government can provide liberal financing to help accomplish the above.

Legislation is desirable, but immediate action is needed. The proposed Neda executive order must be resurrected. Otherwise, the country, which is already facing food shortage, will be in greater peril.

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The author is Agriwatch chair, former secretary of presidential flagship programs and project, and former undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry. Email your reactions or comments to [email protected] .

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Transforming Lives Through Clean Water

Clean Water in the Philippines

Nearly 5 million people in the Philippines rely on unsafe and unsustainable water sources and 9 million lack access to improved sanitation. Despite its growing economy, the Philippines faces significant challenges in terms of water and sanitation access. The country is rapidly urbanizing, and its growing cities struggle to provide new residents with adequate water and sanitation services. In 2010, the government of the Philippines developed a road map to achieve universal water and sanitation services coverage by 2028. Water.org is working to support this goal.

But now in the Philippines and around the world, people are navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, and millions are striving to endure this crisis with an added challenge. They lack access to life’s most critical resource – water. Now more than ever access to safe water is critical to the health of families in the Philippines.

Philippines Capital: Manila

• Population of 105 million
• 5 million people lack access to safe water
• 9 million people lack access to improved sanitation

Our Impact in the Philippines

Since 2019, our corporate partner, Vivoblu Inc. has launched 5,000 water filters to organizations in nine countries, including India, Peru, Rwanda, and The Philippines. In the Philippines, we sent a team to distribute and install life-giving water filter systems on Coron Island, passing out more than 250 filters which provide clean water for more than 2,000 people.

Globally, these filters are servicing an estimated 50,000 people in homes, communities, schools, and churches. The  filter is durably built to last 2-4 years in harsh conditions when correctly cleaned and maintained. Vivoblu is currently collecting water testing data from each country for further testing.

In the first three months of use in the Philippines, the two bucket water filtration systems have received positive feedback from each organization currently using the filters and buckets. Customers report that there has been decreased sickness and fewer visits to the doctor among all users, resulting in an overall financial gain for the families. Users have also expressed that their children are able to remain in school and parents are missing fewer days of work due to sickness.

10 facts about clean water and sanitation in the philippines (from the borgen project).

• Access to Clean Water and Sanitation:  The Philippines has a higher percentage of areas and people without access to clean water and sanitation systems than the national average of 7 percent.
• Septic Systems and Piped Sewer Systems:  Many people do not have septic systems in the Philippines. Further, only 10 percent of the country has access to a piped sewer system and 8 percent have no access to sanitation facilities at all. For those who can dispose of their waste, they use plastic bags for garbage trucks to collect. This can often lead to animals breaking in, furthering contamination.
• Diseases:  According to the country’s National Sewerage and Septage Management Program (NSSMP),  around 55 people  die every day from diseases related to inconsistent treatment of sewage. The contamination, as a result, leads to outbreaks of bacterial diseases such as meningitis and diarrhea.
• Impact of a Growing Population:  The growing population will place a further strain on the limited clean water resources of the Philippines. Despite the vast improvements that the Philippines has made, an estimated additional  2 million people  required access to clean water each year as of 2008.
• Contamination:  Water is in further demand due to a contaminated water supply that unimproved sanitation in the Philippines caused. Most of the waste goes directly into bodies of water. As of 2011,  58 percent of groundwater  suffered contamination. Further, over 60 percent of the country’s rivers exceeded the limits for potability.
• The NSSMP:  The National Sewerage and Septage Management Program (NSSMP) is making strides towards completing the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. By increasing  reliable sanitation infrastructure  in the Philippines, the country seeks to eliminate public defecation, especially for women and girls.
• Importance of Sanitation:  Improving sanitation also improves the global water situation. Water is a finite resource. With the continuous transformation into gray water and the return to the ocean, potable water becomes further limited. As society improves at effectively utilizing water, this leads to preservation for future generations.
• Sanitation in Urban Areas:  Sanitation in the Philippines is best in urban areas where people have recently added sewerage and water piping systems. For instance, the eastern area of metro Manila benefited from  updates in 2012  that focused on improving treatment facilities and installing water connections. These improvements reduced the spread of waterborne diseases in the area and gave over 3 million people regular access to clean water.
• Improving Clean Water Access:  Access to clean water has greatly improved as sanitation has. The organization Water.org has been providing small loans to people to receive water connections; this will reduce the amount of time people spend looking for water. Since 2015, Water.org has distributed  over 810,000 loans , bringing clean water to more than 3 million people.
• Educational Programs:  Educational programs to inform the public about water management and sustainability have become increasingly popular. For instance, the  Manila Water Enterprise  offers tours for stakeholders and the public that show the steps of the water lifecycle in the sanitation world.

These 10 facts about sanitation in the Philippines show that the Philippines and sanitation have had a fraught relationship. However, with increased efforts from both the national government and nonprofit organizations, more people gain access to water and sanitation systems every year. As aid increases, there is no doubt that the effectiveness of sanitation in the Philippines will improve as well.

Pepperdine Policy Review

Home > PUB_POL > PPR > Vol. 10 (2018)

Resolving the Water Pollution Crisis in the Philippines: the Implications of Water Pollution on Public Health and the Economy

Gabriella Andrews , Pepperdine University, School of Public Policy Follow

Recommended Citation

Andrews, Gabriella (2018) "Resolving the Water Pollution Crisis in the Philippines: the Implications of Water Pollution on Public Health and the Economy," Pepperdine Policy Review : Vol. 10, Article 2. Available at: https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/ppr/vol10/iss1/2

Since May 12, 2018

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The water crisis — and government influence on the media — in the Philippines

Ashley Westerman

Is there a water crisis happening in Manila? It depends on who you ask and from where you're getting your information. The answers, though, say a lot about the current state of Philippine media.

SCOTT DETROW, HOST:

How does a city on an island run out of water? Well, officials in the Manila capital region of the Philippines, home to over 13 million people, have been warning of an impending water crisis for years. But if you listen to any news about it, you would think the crisis is already happening. Reporter Ashley Westerman looked into it.

ASHLEY WESTERMAN, BYLINE: If you consume any media at all here in Manila, you know there is an issue with the water.

(SOUNDBITE OF MONTAGE)

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER #1: President Bongbong Marcos says there has long been a water crisis in the country.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER #2: Authorities are addressing the looming threat as millions of Filipinos still suffer from the lack of water supply.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER #3: Around a million Maynilad customers will suffer from extended hours of water service interruptions.

WESTERMAN: All of that sounds really scary, right? But when asking around for places to go and experience this shortage in water, my producer and I came up dry. So NPR visited Manila's Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewage System, a government body, and got an interesting answer.

DELFIN SESPENE: The water supply remained normal, providing 24/7. So we have enough to supply water.

WESTERMAN: That's supervising engineer Delfin Sespene.

Just to be clear, there is no water crisis right now.

SESPENE: We still maintain our earlier announcement that there is still enough water supply for Metro Manila this summer season.

WESTERMAN: Sespene says due to a combination of Metro Manila's rapidly increasing population and the anticipation of an El Nino, a climate pattern that could cause less rain to fall, a water crisis is impending, and there could be a severe shortage by 2027. So officials are taking several steps to augment the water supply. Their biggest-ticket project is a plan to build a dam known as the Kaliwa Dam in the Sierra Madre Mountains to help direct more water to Manila.

But the water crisis and the completion of the dam are years away. So why are we being made to feel like this is happening now? Danilo Arao, a journalism professor who says he's not currently experiencing any water shortages, says the Philippine media holds some responsibility in that. He says, we must remember that the dominant media in the country, outlets like GMA, ABS-CBN and TV5, are trapped by commercial interests.

DANILO ARAO: They need ratings. They need large viewerships (ph), and they are dependent on advertising. The content will be very much determined not by what the audience needs but what the owner wants and what the advertisers would prefer. So that would explain why there is a lot of commercialism, sensationalism.

WESTERMAN: But no one is really going beyond what they're being told by the government, Arao says, especially because the audience today also just wants bite-size information.

ARAO: And that would result in the dumbing down of audiences, intentionally or unintentionally, because the deeper context would take a longer form of journalism.

WESTERMAN: He says while investigative reporting does exist here, it is few and far between. Melinda Quintos de Jesus is the executive director of the Manila-based Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility. She says a reason for the return to the he-said-she-said way of doing news is because of the pandemic. Everyone is so reliant on government information. But another reason is because of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who was open about his disdain for the mainstream media and managed to shut down the broadcast license of the country's largest cable news network, ABS-CBN, during his tenure.

MELINDA QUINTOS DE JESUS: That left a mark on the conduct of the Philippine press in general because if it happened to the biggest major network, then it can happen to anyone. And we have had evidence of the - of journalists saying, we have to be very careful. We've been given the message, don't rock the boat.

WESTERMAN: Even Nobel Peace Prize laureate journalist Maria Ressa and her online news outlet Rappler were in Duterte's crosshairs. No one was safe, and it wasn't just intimidation. Twenty-three media workers were killed during Duterte's administration between 2016 and 2022, and two have been killed since the current president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., took office just last year. And media workers here continue to be intimidated, threatened and red-tagged as communists. So journalists are intimidated. They're scared, Quintos-de Jesus says.

QUINTOS DE JESUS: And everybody sees. So the quality, the lack of interpretation, the lack of analysis, the lack of just basic good news - I think we need to go back to some real basics.

WESTERMAN: Now, to be fair, the mainstream media here did recently report that officials now say there is, in fact, enough water to get Manila through this year's dry season. So crisis averted for now.

For NPR News, I'm Ashley Westerman in Manila, Philippines.

Copyright © 2023 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.

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Act on water crisis now

Like clockwork, Filipinos are once more talking about a water shortage, prompted by the predictable service interruptions of water utilities that occur almost annually whenever the dry season comes around.

And like clockwork, our government leaders are once more making all the right noises in calling for a coordinated response to this challenge, proffering master plans and new agencies as the solution to a problem that has seemed to defy solution year in and year out.

No less than President Marcos has warned that the country is facing a water crisis which threatens not only the Philippine economy but society as a whole, adding that the required response to this situation has been “continually postponed.”

Indeed, it has. And unless the incumbent administration does things differently this time around, it is in danger of ending up like all other administrations before it: Kicking the water crisis can down the road with the minimum required response and letting future leaders tackle future editions of the water shortage while Filipinos suffer dry taps during the hottest months of the year.

Unfortunately, efforts to secure new sources of water supply for the country’s growing metropolises almost always run into opposition from environmentalists decrying the harm new dams would cause and local communities lamenting the loss of their ancestral domain.

These concerns are valid, but urgent solutions must be secured for the needs of millions of Filipinos for clean water and for the efficient functioning of the nation.

This doesn’t mean that policymakers should run roughshod over environmental and local concerns. It means these water supply solutions like new dams should be built with as little harm to their surroundings as possible and, where that’s not possible, offsetting mechanisms like reforestation programs should be put in place to mitigate the damage.

Affected indigenous communities should be relocated, offered alternative forms of livelihood, and compensated for their sacrifice of offering their land so that millions more of their fellow citizens are able to survive and function efficiently in their day-to-day lives.

Meanwhile, water utilities should be more proactive in investing in and building their supply capacities so that they don’t get caught flatfooted by rising demand for potable water, as is what’s happening to Maynilad Water Services Inc. today and what happened to Manila Water Co. a few years ago.

On the part of the consumer, we should stop whining about the cost of potable water, especially when rate hikes are needed to finance the construction of new facilities like treatment plants and pipe networks. And regulators should carefully balance the interests of water concessionaires and consumers, ensuring that one side’s advantage does not translate to the detriment of the other.

Finally, politicians should stop pandering to the public with their populist pronouncements every time someone raises the inevitable opposing voice to these water supply solutions. Once the public has been consulted, once the policies have been agreed on, and once a broad consensus has been achieved, our political leaders should have the backbone to forge ahead with these difficult solutions instead of worrying about losing votes courtesy of a vocal minority in the next elections.

This is especially critical for the national leadership which must lead the way in subsuming parochial concerns—once these have sufficiently been addressed—into the common good of providing millions of Filipinos with the water they need, whether it’s for daily household use or to irrigate farms or to run turbines that produce electricity.

According to the National Water Resources Board, as many as 11 million Filipinos lack access to clean water. In a country surrounded by bodies of water, blessed with large watersheds (deforestation notwithstanding) and rain that falls inevitably and abundantly after the dry seasons (often more than what’s needed), it is unacceptable that one in every 10 of our nation’s citizens does not have sufficient supply of this essential resource for drinking, cooking, bathing, and cleaning.

Like clockwork, Filipinos are once more facing a water shortage at the start of the dry season. And like clockwork, policymakers are once more issuing their usual statements about securing new supply. But like clockwork, this issue will die down when the rains come and the problem will lie dormant—and essentially unsolved—until the next dry season.

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It is high time that we wrap our heads around the problem and for our leaders to spend the political capital on the tough choices needed to solve the water crisis decisively.

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Improving water security in the Philippines

Water supplies in parts of the Philippines are frequently scarce and supplies are often shut down. Intermittent water supply in parts of the country presents serious consequences to health.

Water supplies in parts of the Philippines are frequently scarce and, as a consequence, supplies are frequently shut down to preserve capacity. Six to eight months of the year are largely dry: during these months, acute water shortages occur and people rely on drinking water sources that may not be safe. They may also lack sufficient water for washing to maintain basic hygiene to prevent infection from disease. Such inadequate and intermittent water supply in parts of the country present serious consequences to health.

Groundwater currently supplies more than 50 per cent of the potable water supply and 85 per cent of the piped water supply in the Philippines. Groundwater is strategically and economically important to current and future water supply and is the principle source of dry season river flows, which in turn are often used for drinking water.

Adapting to a warmer climate and a growing urban population

Current projections of climate up to 2050 suggest the Philippines will become warmer, with increasing temperature and decreasing rainfall during the dry season and more extreme rainfall events during the wet season. This will undoubtedly exacerbate both water availability during periods of drought and the magnitude of flood events during periods of heavy rainfall.

In addition to water stresses from a changing climate, the population is expected to increase by around 50 per cent up to 2050, with the urban population set to double over the same period. This will further exacerbate pressures on future water resources.

PhiGO is focused on quantifying the impacts of flood and drought and how it may affect key infrastructure. It will also weigh up the costs and benefits of different water management and urban planning scenarios. Image shows the effects (floods) of Typhoon Vamco in San Rafael, Bulacan, Philippines. © Judgefloro CC0 1.0 Wikimedia Commons .

Data-driven response to future demand for water

Part of the water supply problem is due to the lack of up-to-date information on groundwater levels. In the past, water supply permits have been cancelled because of the expected usage of groundwater as predicted using look-up tables. The BGS-led Philippine Groundwater Outlook (PhiGO) project is piloting a data-driven response to groundwater levels by installing sensors in two key urban areas.

Borehole sensors have been installed at pilot projects in Pampanga Province (near Manila) and Iloilo City. Installed in multiple locations across these regions, these sensors deliver near real-time groundwater monitoring data that can be used to forecast seasonal and long-term groundwater levels and quality. Groundwater data, along with population and climate data, is used to model the future impacts on groundwater resources and to produce forecasts of flood and drought risk.

Groundwater level sensors have been installed at several locations in Pampagna Province and Iloilo City. The wells are located in elementary schools and government buildings. Basemap and topography created with ArcGIS® using ArcWorld™ Supplement Data © Esri.

Near real-time groundwater monitoring and forecasting

The PhiGO website dashboard shows near real-time data for each well site in the project. Available data includes daily reading of groundwater quality and quantity, e.g. water levels, pH, salinity and temperature. Graphical data also includes electrical conductivity, which is the measure of the ability of the water to pass electricity; any drastic change in electrical conductivity can be an indicator of stress or pollution. Data captured via the dashboard is used for seasonal and long-term forecasts of groundwater levels.

Philippine Groundwater Outlook (PhiGO) website showing near real-time water level data for a school in the Pampanga area. BGS © UKRI.

‘In a few clicks, residents of Iloilo City and Pampanga can have instant access to the automated and real-time monitoring of groundwater resources in their areas which were recognised as part of the nine highly urbanised water critical cities.’ Fortunato de la Peña, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology.

Education and schools engagement

In January 2020, BGS groundwater scientists ran a series of education events at a number of local schools that host PhiGO well sites and sensors. The ‘Introduction to groundwater’ sessions were delivered to primary and secondary school students and introduced key terms and processes, including porosity and permeability, how water moves underground and the types of sediments that are effective at filtering pollutants. The materials for these sessions were subsequently translated into four different languages so that education events could be delivered by local teachers and university staff to a greater number of local schools.

SDG 6: clean water and sanitation. One of PhiGO’s key goals is to ensure availability and sustainable management of water by providing a data-driven approach to addressing issues of groundwater security and quality.

SDG 13: climate action. PhiGO’s groundwater, population and climate data will be used to model the future impacts on water resources and to produce forecasts of flood and drought risk. This will help communities to plan for and adapt to the effects of rising temperatures and an increase in extreme weather events arising from a changing climate.

Project partners and funding

This NERC and  PCIEERD -funded project brings together researchers from the UK (BGS and  Imperial College London ) with researchers and stakeholders from the Philippines ( AdMU ,  NWRB ,  PAGASA  and  MMSU ).

About the author

Dr Andrew Barkwith

Principal numerical modeller and smart observing systems lead

Further information

Visit PhiGO for more information or contact Andy Barkwith .

WATER.ORG. 2021. Philippines’ water and sanitation crisis [online]. Available at https://water.org/our-impact/where-we-work/philippines/

WHO. 2018. Water shortage in the Philippines threatens sustainable development and health [online]. Available at https://www.who.int/philippines/news/feature-stories/detail/water-shortage-in-the-philippines-threatens-sustainable-development-and-health

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Revolutionizing water access in the Philippines with Swedish technological innovation in desalination

In an initiative to combat the chronic problem of water scarcity, the Philippines is set to embrace a transformative approach—integrating cutting-edge, containerized, computerized desalination technology from Sweden. This innovative endeavor aims to revolutionize water accessibility and heralds a new era in sustainable, potable water supply.

The proponent of modern Swedish technology of computerized, containerized desalination is Aqua-Veritas Water Purification and Desalination, a Philippine company which is bringing world-class Swedish computerized and containerized desalination technology to help Philippine communities to produce safe, affordable potable water.

Aqua-Veritas co-founder Engineer Richard Tan said improving supply of safe, potable water is the advocacy of their company in response to the predicted acute shortage and inconsistent supplies of potable water in the Philippines.

“WATER CRISIS”

The United Nations and UNICEF data show that 53% of households in the Philippines lack access to a safely managed water supply.

In March this year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the country is facing a “water crisis,” with 11 million families lacking access to clean water.

In the Nov. 10 “Pandesal Forum” at the 84-year-old Kamuning Bakery Cafe in Quezon City with this writer as moderator, former MWSS Chairman and former head of the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) Dondi Alikpala discussed the water crisis of the Philippines, explaining how lack of clean and safe water supply affects not only major cities but also rural regions and causes suffering for the poor. 

Alikpala said only 54.1% of Philippine households have good water connections and even Metro Manila residents’ water supply quality isn’t consistently good.

Alikpala added that the water crisis of the Philippines isn’t just due to water scarcity, but it is also a problem of managing the entire system.

SWEDISH DESALINATION TECHNOLOGY

Also at the Pandesal Forum, the following speakers discussed before the media the option of utilizing Sweden’s desalination technology.

Roy Bjorklund, Technical Director and co-founder Sweden-Aqua-Veritas, said Swedish desalination technology can help the Philippine water situation.

Klas Lundgren of Lux Solana Energy Corporation, said his company is now involved in combining Aqua-Veritas systems with Solar Energy technologies.

“Aqua-Veritas can offer Swedish desalination technology and also the financing support for local government units (LGUs), private or government projects. Aqua-Veritas has already talked to a dozen mayors and three governors about this Swedish technology,” Lundgren said.

Dr. Sunshine Tan, the talented executive of Aqua-Veritas, explained why the Swedish technology they are offering can help alleviate the Philippine water situation.

Tan, who holds a PhD in Environmental Engineering from the University of the Philippines and a Masteral degree in Geotechnical Engineering from University of Tokyo,  said this Swedish technology avoids human error, because of computerization.

“I believe the Philippines, a nation marred for generations by persistent water supply challenges, is on the brink of a revolutionary change if decisive and technological solutions are implemented,” Tan said.

She further explained: “With a continuously growing population that is exacerbated by natural disasters and environmental woes like deforestation, access to clean drinking water remains a critical issue, particularly in remote and underserved regions of the country. The adoption of modern Swedish desalination technology emerges as a beacon of hope, promising a viable solution to the longstanding Philippine water crisis.”

SCALABLE, ADAPTABLE SYSTEM

According to Aqua-Veritas officials, Sweden’s state-of-the-art desalination technology, packaged within mobile and modular containers, presents a versatile and scalable system. These units efficiently convert seawater and brackish sources into safe, drinkable water.

What sets this innovation apart is not just its efficacy in production but also its adaptability. The modular design allows for swift deployment and easy scalability, catering to the diverse needs of both rural communities and bustling urban centers.

Key to this technological advancement is its computerized infrastructure, which Engineer Sunshine Tan highlighted during the Pandesal Forum. She said computerized system prevents lapses or inefficiencies caused by human errors.

Remote monitoring and management systems ensure optimized operation and swift response to maintenance needs. This feature is crucial for areas with limited access to technical expertise, guaranteeing continuous and efficient water production.

However, amid the promise of this technological marvel lie significant challenges. Energy consumption is a pivotal concern, demanding a stable and sustainable power supply, but Aqua-Veritas officials recommend utilizing solar energy to lower costs due to the Philippines’ high electric power costs.

Moreover, while remote monitoring assists in system management, the availability of skilled technicians for maintenance is vital for sustained functionality.

The implementation strategy involves a phased approach. Identifying priority areas experiencing acute water scarcity, these desalination systems will be customized and deployed accordingly.

Community engagement and training programs will educate locals in the operation and basic maintenance of these systems, ensuring long-term sustainability. Collaborations between local authorities, private sectors, and NGOs will be instrumental in the successful deployment and maintenance of these systems.

The collaboration between the Philippines and Sweden or relevant technology providers is paramount. It demands comprehensive financial and technical support for the successful initiation and continuous operation of these systems. Rigorous environmental impact assessments and adherence to local regulations are non-negotiable, ensuring that the integration of this technology remains sustainable and eco-friendly.

The possible infusion of Swedish desalination technology marks a turning point in the Philippines’ pursuit of water security. This ambitious endeavor has the potential to reshape the water landscape, alleviating the burden of water scarcity and empowering communities with sustainable, clean water sources.

As this partnership between the Philippines and Sweden unfolds through Aqua-Veritas, it signifies not only a leap in technological innovation for the country but also an important step towards ensuring what speaker Dondi Alikpala and I as moderator described as “a fundamental human right—access to safe, potable water for all.”

F or further inquiries, contact Aqua-Veritas at Tels. 89396368, 89211322, 79033965, 09228800967  Email: [email protected]

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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The times, they are a-changing, philcare study: pinoy genzs choose to hustle, while gens x and y eye safer paths to retirement, dotr secretary: no additional mc taxis in metro manila.

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El Niño in PH: On top of killer heat, water scarcity looms

COMPOSITE IMAGE: DANIELLA AGACER FROM REUTERS AND AFP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Following the declaration of the onset of El Niño, United Nations and state meteorologists warned against one of its effects which millions of people in the Philippines are already familiar with—water shortage.

On July 4, the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) officially declared that El Niño conditions have emerged in the Tropical Pacific for the first time in seven years, with a 90 percent probability of it persisting until the second half of 2024.

“The onset of El Niño will greatly increase the likelihood of breaking temperature records and triggering more extreme heat in many parts of the world and in the ocean,” said WMO Secretary-General Prof. Petteri Taalas in a statement.

WMO defined El Niño as a naturally occurring climate pattern associated with warming ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean.

READ: For the third time this week, Earth sets a heat record on July 6

The phenomenon usually occurs, on average, every two to seven years, and its episodes typically last nine to 12 months. The last El Niño was in 2015-2016.

“The declaration of an El Niño by WMO is the signal to governments around the world to mobilize preparations to limit the impacts on our health, our ecosystems, and our economies,” said Taalas.

“Early warnings and anticipatory action of extreme weather events associated with this major climate phenomenon are vital to save lives and livelihoods,” he added.

WMO said this El Niño will be at least of moderate strength. It was also noted that its warming effect on global temperatures is usually felt most strongly within a year of its onset—or, in this case, in 2024.

READ: UN warns world to prepare for El Niño impact

El niño in ph.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has also declared the onset of El Niño on July 4, stating that climatologists have observed the weather phenomenon ongoing in the tropical Pacific in the last three months.

“[I]ts effects are starting to be felt in the country,” Pagasa weather specialist Lorie dela Cruz told INQUIRER.net .

READ: Pagasa declares onset of El Niño

Following this announcement, the state weather bureau has upgraded its El Niño-Southern Oscillation (Enso) Alert and Warning System into an El Niño Advisory.

Ana Liza Solis, of Pagasa’s climate monitoring and prediction unit, earlier said that El Niño will likely become powerful in the following months and will persist until the first quarter of 2024.

She added, however, that the Philippines has yet to experience the full effects of El Niño.

“We are still experiencing a weak El Niño, but there are models, and there is a high probability of more than 56 percent that El Niño becomes moderate and strong at least in the last quarter of this year,” she said.

READ: PH among nations most at risk to El Niño

Public warned of el niño’s impact.

As early as last March, when the dry season has officially begun, Pagasa and other government agencies have warned the public to take precautionary measures against the effects of El Niño.

That same month, the state weather bureau upgraded its monitoring of oceanic temperatures to an El Niño Watch, signaling the high likelihood of the El Niño phenomenon being felt in the coming months.

“The public and all concerned government agencies are advised to take precautionary measures to minimize heat stress, optimize the daily use of water for personal and domestic consumption, and prevent any accompanying health risks associated with this climate condition,” Pagasa said, stressing the likelihood of persistent dry and hot days nationwide.

The Department of Health (DOH) also warned against the high possibility of several illnesses rapidly spreading in communities amid intense heat.

Aside from heat stress and heat stroke, these illnesses include gastrointestinal problems like cholera, and typhoid fever, and food and waterborne diseases like bloody diarrhea and hepatitis.

READ: Extreme heat in PH: Health risks, economic impact READ: Preparing for El Niño: The heat is on and our health is at risk

“If you are not sure whether your source of [drinking] water is safe, boil the water first before drinking it, just to be sure,” said Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire at a press briefing held when she was still Department of Health officer-in-charge.

The health department also stressed on one of the most dangerous effects of a combination of dry season and El Niño—a water crisis. This, according to Vergeire, could lead to an insufficiency of water sources and epidemic of various diseases related to water shortage or contamination.

READ: Beware of disease outbreaks amid intense heat, water shortage – DOH

Vergeire said El Niño can be attributed to climate change.

“Climate change is a very critical [issue] … If our environment will be affected by changes in our climate, definitely there will be an [outbreak] of illnesses,” she said.

Conserve water, prevent shortage

To prevent supply shortage, Malacañang directed all national government agencies to strictly implement water conservation measures.

In Memorandum Circular (MC) 22 released last month, Malacañang mandated all national government agencies, including government-owned corporations and state universities and colleges, to identify and implement conservation measures that will result in a 10 percent reduction in water consumption.

“With the probability of the El Niño phenomenon occurring within the next few months, there is an urgent need to implement water conservation measures to avert a looming water crisis not just in Metro Manila but in all other areas in the country experiencing water scarcity,” said the MC, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.

Last May, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. also instructed local government units (LGUs) to find ways to cushion the impact of El Niño from June this year until March of next year.

“Conserving water is one of the key actions needed to be taken to mitigate the effects of El Niño, and as public servants, we must set an example. These precautionary steps, albeit small, can make a big difference that can affect our communities,” Abalos said in a statement.

READ: DILG to LGUs: Save water, prepare for El Niño’s fury READ: Preparing for El Niño

An official of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) earlier estimated that El Niño will affect at least 11 provinces by August. By October, the number of affected provinces will increase to 46.

In some areas of the country, preventive measures against water scarcity were already in place as early as last March.

An example would be Cebu City, which started to ration water as some barangays experienced supply scarcity ahead of the onset of El Niño.

READ: Ahead of El Niño: Water rationing starts in some Cebu City brgys

Amid consistent warnings and reminders to conserve water, an expert recommended shifting to a plant-based diet, which he said will help save water and address food security issues.

Dr. Teodoro Mendoza, a University of the Philippines-Los Baños retired crop science professor, explained that a meat-based diet is “resource inefficient,” saying that “a lot of resources are consumed in producing livestock […] they also consume a lot of water and nutrients.”

READ: Give up meat? It could help ease El Niño impact, water use, says expert

What went before.

In the past, El Niño brought severe drought and water supply shortages across the Philippines.

In a statement dated August 1998, ACT Alliance—a Switzerland-based non-governmental organization composed of over 140 member organizations across the globe—said that El Niño had caused a severe shortage of rains and droughts in many different regions in the Philippines in October 1997, which lasted for months.

“Almost every part of the country has been affected. Crop yields are low and, in places, non-existent. The severity of the drought that has sorely affected those persons who rely on rainfall for their livelihood,” ACT Alliance said.

“There have been reports of deaths amongst the most vulnerable, and particularly those who live in the most remote areas, and who rarely receive any aid which may be available during times of crisis,” it added.

Research published by the Columbia Climate School International Research Institute for Climate and Society further detailed the impact of the strong El Niño in the country in 1997.

It said at that time, 70 percent of the Philippines suffered from severe drought. Water levels in the Angat Dam reservoir, the main source of potable water in Metro Manila and other areas, “became critically low averaging 32% of normal levels.”

The severe drought and water scarcity led to a 6.6 percent drop in agricultural and fisheries production in the country.

Another instance was in 2015-2016 when a strong El Niño brought drought in the country. It lasted 18 months and caused damage across 16 of 18 regions—around 85 percent of the country—making it the most severe El Niño event ever recorded, according to World Food Programme.

Most recently, in 2019, El Niño again caused droughts nationwide. This has been exacerbated by lack of water as water levels in major dams—Angat and La Mesa—dropped to critical levels.

In April of that year, then-President Rodrigo Duterte slammed the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS)—the government agency in charge of water privatization in Metro Manila—for being unprepared for the El Niño season.

By August, Duterte reactivated the government’s El Niño Task Force to mitigate the effects of the dry spell in the Philippines.

READ: Duterte reactivates El Niño Task Force

Government, water companies lay out plans.

Last week, Pagasa said Camarines Norte and Southern Leyte would likely experience drought in the coming months due to the effects of the El Niño phenomenon.

At least 28 provinces and areas nationwide might experience “dry conditions” or two consecutive months of below-average rainfall conditions. “Dry spell,” or three consecutive months below regular rainfall occurrences, is also expected in 36 provinces in Luzon and Visayas.

READ: Pagasa: El Niño may bring drought to Camarines Norte, Southern Leyte

The Local Water Utilities Administration, the National Water Resources Board, and the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System were already asked by the Palace to submit a “monthly supply-demand projection,” highlighting the likelihood of a deficit in the water supply.

Government-run and private water service providers (WSPs) were also directed to implement water conservation measures.

READ: El Niño threat: Malacañang urges gov’t agencies to save water now, avoid crisis later

Last April, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos ordered the creation of a government team that would focus on mitigating the impact of the El Niño phenomenon.

READ: President orders creation of team to mitigate El Niño impact

In the same month, two water concessionaires for Metro Manila and adjacent areas assured that they have lined up various measures to brace for the impact of El Niño on the water supply.

READ: Water firms ready supply projects ahead of El Niño

Recently, the water level at Angat Dam was seen slowly dropping to its minimum operating level despite rains over the past few days.

Last July 5, National Water Resources Board (NWRB) executive director Dr. Sevillo David Jr. said the water level at the dam in Norzagaray, Bulacan, was 181.22 meters.

He added that the water level at the dam has been inching closer to the 180-meter minimum operating level because the recent rainfall did not reach the watershed.

“Once the water level is lower than 180 meters, the priority will be to ensure there is enough water supply in Metro Manila, rather than for other uses like irrigation and power generation,” David said at a briefing last Wednesday.

The last time the Angat water level breached the critical level of 160 meters was in June 2019.

READ: Angat water level continues to drop at onset of El Niño

GRAPHIC: Ed Lustan

As of July 6, records from Pasasa showed that the water level in various dams in the country was as follows:

• Angat: 180.89 meters
• Ipo: 98.79 meters
• La Mesa: 78.72 meters
• Ambuklao: 746.57 meters
• Binga: 568.89 meters
• San Roque: 237.02 meters
• Pantabangan: 179.93 meters
• Magat: 165.69 meters
• Caliraya: 287.20 meters

Access to water sources still an issue

Aside from looming water supply problems, it should also be noted that the country also currently experiences issues with access to adequate water sources.

A survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) released last April showed that in the Philippines, only 67 percent of families have access to running and piped water. This equates to at least 17 million Filipino households.

READ: Only 67% of Filipino families have access to running, piped water – SWS

According to NWRB, at least 11 million families in the country still have no access to clean water.

These families, David explained, rely on “unprotected” water sources such as deep wells, springs, rivers, lakes, and even rainwater.

READ: 11 million Filipino families have no access to clean water — NWRB

According to a study by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Unicef Joint Monitoring Program (JMP), in 2020, almost half, or 47.46 percent of the country, had access to safely managed drinking water.

READ: WHO-Unicef report: Nearly half of Filipinos get safe drinking water

This refers to drinking water from uncontaminated sources accessible on premises, available when needed, and free from fecal and chemical contamination.

Most rural households relied on basic water services or drinking water from so-called improved sources. Water from these sources takes less than 30 minutes to collect.

But over 2 million households got their drinking water from unimproved water sources such as unprotected wells or springs during the same period.

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When it comes to hygiene, while most households are already accessing soap and water, at least 7 million households still suffer from a lack of hand washing facilities and have no access to soap and water.

READ: World Water Day: Water and sanitation in PH

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11 million families in Philippines facing water crisis

MANILA - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Thursday said the Philippines is facing a water crisis, with some 11 million families lacking access to clean water as the dry season approaches.

Speaking during the sixth Water Philippines Conference and Exposition in Manila, he said the country must tap modern water management technologies to address the problem.  

He said the country remains heavily reliant on underground aquifers and needs to improve its filtration systems to better manage surface water and give everyone access to potable water.

“And so these are the kinds of stratagems that we have to employ, that we have to bring down to the grassroots level, because of the water crisis in the Philippines. And I call it a water crisis because it is,” he said.

“I was very surprised in the past years, even when I was a senator, even when I was governor, that no one was speaking about water problems. Whereas every single urban community, and even some rural communities in the Philippines, have a water crisis,” he added.

Mr Marcos made the remarks three days after Dr Sevillo David Jr, executive director of the National Water Resources Board, said 11 million Filipino families are still sourcing water from unsanitary deep wells, rivers, lakes and rainwater.

The figure is almost half of the total number of Filipino families, which stood at 26.39 million in 2020, according to the latest government data.

Some cities to the south of the capital Manila and neighbouring Cavite province are also experiencing cuts in their water supply after monsoon winds pushed up sediments from the bottom of Laguna Lake and clogged the filtration system.

The country has long struggled to provide residents with access to clean water due to a number of factors, including rapid population growth and poor governance.

In a 2021 report, the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) said water supply in the country is unevenly distributed because of rainfall variability, besides the size and features of each island.

Available water supply cannot cope with rapid population and economic growth.

Neda said surface water and groundwater in some areas remain contaminated because of open defecation, and improper management and disposal of human excreta and blackwater. These practices expose communities to waterborne diseases.

The government has been criticised for having inadequate water management practices that fail to stop illegal tapping activities and pipe leaks that contaminate the water supply.

These problems are worsened by extreme climate conditions.

In previous years, parts of the country would experience water service interruptions for weeks due to the El Nino phenomenon, when an extreme rise in temperature with little rainfall affects water levels in the dams from which households source water.

Mr Marcos said the Philippines needs to emulate the best practices of other countries, citing Israel for its “excellent water management” despite being a desert country.

“They are able to collect water during the rainy season. Whatever is available, they put fish in it to grow. When the summer comes, they take it out, take out the water, harvest the fish, and then that goes to irrigation and forth,” he said.

“These are the kinds of thinking that we have to apply to the Philippines.”

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From living water to toxic sludge: the Philippine island devastated by an oil spill – a photo essay

The slick from sunken tanker Princess Empress has harmed livelihoods, caused health problems and done untold damage to marine life. Can Mindoro island recover?

• Words and photographs by Alecs Ongcal

I t is a beautiful sunny day on Mindoro island but a nauseating stench fills the air and black sludge covers the beaches and rockpools. The cause? A massive oil spill off the eastern coast of the island, from the tanker Princess Empress, carrying 800,000 litres of industrial fuel oil when it sank on 28 February.

The resultant oil slick, stretching for 75 miles, threatens hundreds of fishing communities near Pola , as well as biodiversity in more than 20 marine protected areas .

Vicente Madera Jr’s livelihood from fishing is under threat from the oil spilled from the MT Princess Empress, which capsized in February

The Philippine maritime authorities located the wreck this week and a state of disaster has been declared for nine districts in Oriental Mindoro province. In the village of Buhay na Tubig, which translates as “living water”, locals like fisherman Vicente Madera Jr have seen their income disappear.

With five children and a wife who works as a classroom volunteer, Madera, 49, does not know where to turn. The lack of food is a constant worry, as fish was the mainstay of their daily meals. Now, they eat vegetables and their remaining livestock.

Thick black oil clings to the shoreline at Buhay na Tubig, near Pola, in Oriental Mindoro

The number of families affected in the province stands at 21,000 . People who rely on the sea are struggling to make ends meet, the oil spill affecting local businesses and tourism as well as daily life.

Madera’s neighbour, Elenor Pabula, says: “We used to have fish every day, but now we’re lucky if we can get some vegetables from our garden. It’s the children we are actually worried about.

“We can’t give them vegetables every day, and now we have no money to give them for their daily allowance [for school meals].”

Local council head Annabel Ferrera is worried for her village. The barangay hall, top, where Buhay na Tubig’s administration is based

The barangay captain - local council head – Annabel Ferrera, fears for her community. Some people harvest coconuts, but the province is still recovering from super-typhoon Rai (known locally as Odette) , which ravaged the region in late 2021. She worries that desperate people in her community may resort to desperate measures, such as the illegal drug trade.

The toxic oil spill has impacted the health of islanders.

“I have been experiencing difficulty breathing since the oil spill,” Ferrera says. “My throat itches and it’s very difficult to swallow food. When I visited the town’s clinic, they gave me cetirizine, assuming it was an allergy.”

Oil clinging to the rocky shoreline at Buhay na Tubig

Almost a dozen people in Buhay na Tubig have visited the clinic with similar symptoms. In Oriental Mindoro, at least 122 islanders have fallen ill, according to Governor Humerlito Dolor. Other symptoms reported include vomiting, diarrhoea, coughs, dizziness, eye irritation and fevers.

Testing air toxicity levels at Buhay na Tubig

Toxicologists are monitoring and treating people affected. The Philippines government has advised those with respiratory illnesses to evacuate and for others to wear an industrial gas mask and ensure they get water from safe sources.

A cash-for-work programme, introduced this month, has been extended until May. The programme pays 355 pesos (£5.30) for 15 days to those assisting in the clean-up operations.

Islanders from Buhay na Tubig join in the clean-up as part of the government’s cash-for-work programme

The government has allocated more than 84.4m pesos to the programme, initially intended for 14,000 participants.

Some complain compensation levels do not match what they earn from fishing.

Cleaning the oil-polluted shore of Mindoro island is a daunting, laborious job

Madera says he could usually earn up to 1,000 pesos on a good day, enough to feed his children and send them to school.

Some fishers are leaving for labouring and odd jobs in the towns.

Cleaning up the beaches around Buhay na Tubig as part of the government’s cash-for-work scheme

Everyone who can is helping the clean-up, a daunting and slow task.

They can work on cleaning for only two hours at a time to minimise exposure to the oil’s toxins.

A crab covered in oil in a rock pool at Buhay na Tubig

The government says it has distributed at least 20m pesos in cash aid to people affected. It has also given food packs to more than 21,000 families in Oriental Mindoro and about 6,600 in Antique province in the west of Panay island, south of Mindoro. However, the list of those in need keeps on growing as the spill spreads.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is assessing biodiversity sites and has designated affected coastal towns as “exclusion areas”.

A Philippine Coast Guard team laying absorbent pads on water contaminated with oil

The PCG and the islanders are using absorbent pads to soak up oil on land, while coast guards have laid booms around the suspected location of the wreck.

Miles from the shore of Oriental Mindoro, a Philippine Coast Guard ship sprays oil dispersant to break up the slicks

Some PCG vessels have been modified to spray dispersants that break down the oil slicks into smaller droplets. But dispersants are themselves damaging to marine life. Jefferson Chua, a Greenpeace Philippines campaigner, says the toxic dispersants don’t remove oil but leave residue in the area, causing further environmental damage.

Philippine coast guards onboard the vessel BRP Bagacay prepare the oil dispersant before spraying it on the slick off Oriental Mindoro

Fears that the spill could reach the Verde Island Passage (VIP), the strait that separates the islands of Luzon and Mindoro, a rich area of marine biodiversity, worsened last week when the spill was sighted off Verde Island .

The PCG has since said there are no longer any traces of the spill in the waters around the island . Nevertheless, threat to the reefs and other marine life has renewed calls for the government to ban oil tankers passing through the VIP.

Shells covered in oil near Buhay na Tubig

Several organisations called for an investigation, prompting the Philippine senate to open an inquiry, which has already found that the MT Princess Empress had no up-to-date permit to operate. The ship’s owner, RDC Reield Marine Services, said the company had complied with requirements to amend its licence last December. The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) administrator, Hernani Fabia, said the application was still pending.

Clearing the beaches of contaminated debris in the cash-for-work programme

On 21 March, justice minister, Jesus Crispin Remulla, called for criminal charges over the spill. The Department of Justice has issued subpoenas for documents as it builds its case. Remulla has also called on Marina to provide relevant documents amid allegations that the agency allowed the tanker to operate without a permit.

In Buhay na Tubig people want justice and compensation.

Vicente Madera Jr does not know what the future holds for him and his family. He wonders if he will ever be able to fish again or if the “living water” will one day thrive again.

Vicente Madera Jr is uncertain what the future holds for him, his family and his community

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