By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Consistent with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive for expanded water provision programs under the government’s Integrated Water Resource Management Policy, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Raphael Lotilla said that the agency will deploy 28 water filtration systems to isolated small-island barangays across the country by the end of 2025.
Secretary Lotilla announced in his statement at the post-SONA (State of the Nation Address) discussions, “In 2024, we launched six water filtration systems for freshwater and saline water sources in remote island barangays nationwide. This year, we are expanding that with 28 more consisting of 18 for freshwater and 10 for saline water.”
He added, “These projects aim to show that even with minimal funding, we can significantly improve access to clean and safe water in our most isolated communities.”
The Environment chief emphasized that this nationwide initiative aims to address long-standing water scarcity in far-flung areas in the Philippines, which makes residents in these communities vulnerable to climate-related challenges.
Lotilla, meanwhile, also noted that desalination plants are also in consideration to be added on top of the water filtration systems that will be deployed on remote island barangays by year-end, which would convert seawater into potable water for safe human consumption.
While separate from the water filtration initiative, a notable example of a water supply project in partnership with the private sector is currently underway in Homonhon Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
The project, initiated by the Water Resources Management Office (WRMO), focuses on the development of a Level II Community Water Supply System in Barangay Casuguran through the construction of a dam to ensure a steady and potable water supply for the community.
This campaign by the DENR underscores the agency’s commitment towards serving Filipinos despite geographical challenges, which is in line with the Chief Executive’s vision of a “Bagong Pilipinas.”
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