WESTERN Visayas is locked in a battle against climate change, as evidenced by the continuing vulnerability of the region to water-related hazards. Despite significant financial investments by the national government, amounting to P12.94 billion for 292 flood control projects from 2019 to 2022, the effectiveness of these initiatives remains questionable. Floods, recurrent damage to infrastructure, and the adverse effects on local communities call for a more cohesive and integrated approach.
The Regional Development Council’s Regional Development Plan for 2023 – 2028 highlights a disturbing trend: erratic weather patterns and their increasingly destructive impacts. These changes threaten infrastructure and disrupt the water cycle, aggravate drought conditions, and impair agricultural productivity. This dual threat of intense rainfall and prolonged dry spells increases the susceptibility of the region to flooding and droughts.
One of the core issues is the fragmented institutional framework governing water management in Western Visayas. Currently, no single entity coordinates the myriad water-related functions spread across various stakeholders. This disjunction hampers effective management and leads to issues such as the neglect and damage of water infrastructure, notably after road maintenance activities.
To mitigate these challenges, the council rightly proposes the implementation of Integrated Water Resource Management aimed at harmonizing the management of land, water, and coastal resources. This strategy is crucial for ensuring a sustainable and reliable water supply, equitable allocation of water resources, and maintaining the quality of both surface and groundwater.
Having a regional master plan tailored from national strategies is also a step in the right direction. This plan would consider local conditions and prioritize development specific to Western Visayas, offering a more nuanced approach to tackling the region’s unique challenges. The integration of flood drainage systems into irrigation infrastructure and the promotion of public-private partnerships are also promising strategies that could enhance the region’s capacity to manage water hazards more effectively.
However, the success of such initiatives hinges on robust implementation, rigorous monitoring, and adaptive management to respond to an ever-changing climate scenario. The involvement of local communities, the strengthening of local institutions, and ensuring transparency and accountability in executing these projects are equally vital to ensure that the enormous sums of money invested do not merely vanish into the floodwaters but lead to tangible improvements in the resilience and water security of Western Visayas.
