Huling Patak tackles looming water crisis

MANILA, Philippines - An archipelago, the Philippines is surrounded by bodies of water. Yet, by 2025, experts predict a severe water shortage in the country. The rapid increase in population, urbanization and industrialization has reduced the quantity and affected the quality of Philippine waters.

Today, the signs of the imminent crisis are palpable. Access to clean and adequate water is an acute seasonable problem in urban and coastal areas. Only 36 percent of the country’s river systems are classified as sources of public water supply; up to 58 percent of groundwater sampled by government agents is contaminated with coliform and needs treatment; and 31 percent of diseases monitored over a five-year period are due to water-borne sources.

Huling Patak, a one-hour documentary to be aired nationwide on TV5 and Aksyon TV Channel 41, presents the state of water resources in the Philippines and the looming crisis.

Based on the compelling stories of six localities — Tawi Tawi, Davao, Camarines Sur, Quezon, Antipolo and Metro Manila — and accounts of people living in the cusps of danger due to lack or absence of potable water — NEWS5 chief Luchi Cruz-Valdes (photo) weaves a story of decades of neglect and abuse of a resource more important than oil. Luchi explores the whys and wherefores of an impending disaster as well as the risks faced by Filipinos as we live with life threatening water scarcity.

Together with experts and examples of best practices that ensure sustained and efficient delivery of safe, clean water despite very limited resources, Luchi tells a story of doom and despair, and a promise that every Filipino can do something to avert a looming crisis. This special DOKYU5 presentation aims to tell them how.

Huling Patak airs tomorrow night at 10:30 on TV5 with simulcast airing over Aksyon TV (Channel 41 in Mega Manila, Channel 29 in Metro Cebu and Davao, Channel 1 on Cignal Digital TV and Channel 59 on Sky Cable).