Approval of national water management bill pushed amid El Niño threat

MANILA, Philippines — Marikina 2nd District Rep. Miro S. Quimbo on Saturday called for the immediate passage of a measure, which seeks to strengthen water management through a stronger national framework, amid the looming threat of a Super El Niño.

He said that the passage of the National Water Resources Management Act, or House Bill No. 6789, would help strengthen coordination among concerned agencies and institutions to ensure Filipino households and businesses have reliable water sources.

“Water security is not just an environmental concern. It is a public health issue, an economic concern, and a matter that directly affects the daily lives of every Filipino,” Quimbo said in a statement.

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READ: Water shortage grips Northern Samar capital as El Niño strengthens

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“We need to strengthen our institutions and put in place a long-term framework that will help us manage this vital resource responsibly,” he stressed.

The proposed measure also seeks to establish a Department of Water Resources and the Water Regulatory Commission, as well as define its mandates and powers.

“An institutionalized policy will enable a more coordinated and forward-looking approach to managing our water resources, helping ensure that communities have access to a reliable and sustainable water supply, especially during El Niño,” he said.

Lawmakers last Dec. 22 passed House Bill No. 6789 on third reading, transmitting it to the Senate.

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Quimbo hoped that the Senate would advance the proposed measure, as it would help improve the country’s capacity to address water demand, primarily during prolonged weather conditions, or other calamities.

READ: El Niño affects over 451,000 people in PH – NDRRMC

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The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration previously confirmed in June that El Niño conditions were present in the tropical Pacific.

It then warned that the phenomenon could intensify into a “very strong” El Niño between September and December and persist through the first months of 2027.

As of Oct. 14, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that more than 451,000 people across the country, including over 215,000 farmers and fisherfolk, are affected by the El Niño.

“When water becomes scarce, families are forced to adjust their daily routines, businesses face operational challenges, and public services can be affected,” Quimbo said.

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“Access to safe and sufficient water must be treated as a basic necessity that requires long-term planning, effective management, and coordinated action,” he added.