JV pushes creation of water department

Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito has renewed his call for the creation of a Department of Water and Resource Management, stressing the need for a centralized agency to oversee the country’s flood control and water resource systems.

Ejercito made the call on Monday during the continuation of the Senate deliberations on the proposed 2026 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The senator raised concern over what he described as the lack of coordination among government agencies involved in managing the country’s water systems.

“It’s sad to hear that there was really no coordination, according to [DPWH] Sec. [Vivencio] Dizon, with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), especially on flood control projects because they are the experts on river basins,” Ejercito said.

Ejercito emphasized that a Department of Water and Resource Management would help synchronize efforts currently divided among multiple agencies, a proposal he said was backed by Dizon.

“We cannot fight nature — we have to work with it. This strengthens our proposal for the creation of a Department of Water and Resource Management so that there will be no more disconnect among agencies,” he added.

According to Ejercito, the new department would address both flooding and water scarcity, two issues that have become more critical amid the rapid population growth and climate change.

“Every rainy season, we have an abundant water supply, but during the dry season, we suffer from a shortage. We should not just divert water and throw it into the ocean; we should impound and store it for use during dry months,” he said.

The senator warned that water scarcity is becoming a global challenge, and the Philippines must take proactive measures to manage its resources effectively.