WESTERN Visayas is grappling with the pressures of being the second fastest-growing regional economy in the Philippines valued at P1.024 trillion in 2023. It is witnessing a surge in water demand that the existing infrastructure and resource management practices are ill-equipped to handle.
Rapid urbanization brings with it water management issues, and this strikes at the very foundation of our daily lives and long-term sustainability. Soaring water consumption, declining water quality, and inadequate sanitation are but a few of the issues that must be addressed promptly.
The Regional Development Council (RDC) acknowledges that despite the vital importance of water, the sector has suffered from significant neglect. The Philippine Statistics Authority – Region 6’s data on water abstraction — 98.1 percent from surface water and a meager 1.9 percent from groundwater — point to an over-reliance on finite resources that are being rapidly depleted and contaminated. This is exacerbated by the absence of rigorous management or monitoring of water extraction, leading to saline intrusion into groundwater and unregulated activities that threaten watersheds with soil erosion and diminished water infiltration.
In Iloilo City for example, Metro Iloilo Water District struggles with water pressure issues and high levels of non-revenue water. Frequent disruptions in water supply, primarily in densely populated areas, not only inconvenience residents but also pose serious health risks through potential pollution and contamination.
Without a doubt, wide-ranging steps are needed to address these issues. The RDC itself proposes better management and construction of water infrastructure, a focus on sustainable water allocation and utilization, and bolstered protection of land, water, and coastal resources. Indeed, these are crucial not only for improving water supply reliability and quality but also for mitigating the impacts of flooding and drought, which are becoming increasingly common due to climate change.
However, for these strategies to transform from plan to practice, significant enhancement in the technical and financial capabilities of local government units and water institutions is needed. They must be empowered to undertake the necessary planning, development, and maintenance of water-related infrastructure. Community engagement and education on water conservation practices will also help ensure the sustainability of water resources.
As Western Visayas strides forward in its economic journey, it must not leave its water sector behind. Its water woes present an opportunity — an opportunity to rebuild and reengineer approaches to water management in ways that secure not just economic prosperity, but environmental sustainability and public health.
