President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday urged government agencies and the private sector to intensify efforts in addressing water scarcity issues, particularly as the country braces for a prolonged El Niño phenomenon.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Poblacion Water Treatment Plant in Muntinlupa City, Marcos acknowledged the current buffer of water resources until the end of the first quarter.

However, the Chief Executive emphasized the need for further preparedness should the El Niño extend to the second quarter.

"We have a good buffer until the end of the first quarter. What we need to do is to prepare further capacity so that should El Niño extend to the second quarter of next year, we are still able to supply water to urban areas, agriculture and industries," he said in his speech.

"We must prepare and apply some of the lessons we have learned during the pandemic when it came to supply of agri products, efficiency of supply chain — all of these will be affected if water resources are inadequate," Marcos added.

He acknowledged the challenges posed by El Niño and called for applying lessons learned from the pandemic, particularly regarding supply chain efficiency for food and agricultural products.

He stressed the potential impact of water shortages on hospitals and other critical sectors, urging proactive preparation.

Marcos also emphasized the urgency of completing ongoing water supply projects and prioritizing repairs to prevent leakages, as El Niño is expected to persist until the second quarter of 2024.

Prioritize water pipes repair

"With the El Niño projected to last, we must prioritize the repair of water pipes and the completion of ongoing water supply projects to ensure that we have adequate supply," Marcos said.

He reiterated the government's commitment to providing Filipinos with the "best quality services" and affirmed access to clean water as a fundamental right.

Water a right

"The supply of water is not just a service, but a right of our people," Marcos said, highlighting the importance of water for households, industry, and agriculture, emphasizing the need for continued development of water resources.

"However, we need to further capacitate ourselves to ensure (a) sufficient supply of potable water, support agriculture and industry, and prioritize our hospitals in case El Niño extends to the second quarter," he added.

Marcos cited upcoming water projects in Cavite and Muntinlupa as examples of the government's commitment to bolstering water infrastructure. He hoped these initiatives would prepare the country for the impending drought and ensure Filipinos' access to clean water.