Big water problem

In 2010, the United Nations declared that safe and clear drinking water is a human right “essential to full enjoyment of life and all other human rights.”

In the Philippines, it is estimated that 15,000 barangays do not have 100% access to safe water. Most towns have piped in water only in the poblacions but not in the farther barangays and sitios.

President Aquino in his SONA announced a program to electrify 36,000 sitios but no similar program was announced to provide access to safe water in the sitios.

Department of Health figures show the following provinces with the lowest access to water:

Lanao del Sur 39.7%; Tawi Tawi 44.6%; Northern Samar 50.6%; Tarlac 57.6%; Pangasinan 67%, Maguindanao 67%; Pampanga 67.2%; Palawan; 69.4%; Oriental Mindoro 69.5%

Based on the above report, it is accurate to say that 30-35% of the entire country has no access to safe water.

In many provinces, including Pampanga and Pangasinan, the artesian and deep wells have gone dry, causing a sinking of the grounds.

Based on 2003 data, 63% of ground water is consumed by the domestic sector, agriculture 17%, industry 13% and other sectors 7%.

According to the World Bank, only 44 percent have direct house connections. Those without house connections access water from wells, springs, communal faucets, or informal providers.

The bottled water business is booming adding to the day to day expenses of a family. Filipinos now spend more for water than for rice.

The problem is that there is no regulation of water providers and no standards have been set.

Another sad statistic: people in the provinces pay as much as ten times more for water than residents of Metro Manila.

And the problem is going to worsen. A study by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) estimated that all major cities of the Philippines will experience water shortages starting 2025. Deforestation and pollution has affected the country’s water supply which will further be affected by climate change.

President Aquino issued Executive Order 62 last October 2011 creating an interagency committee headed by the DPWH Secretary. But since then, we have not heard any action by the committee.

This is a critical situation. We have seen diarrhea outbreaks all over the country due to contaminated drinking water. And as usual, it is the poor families who are victimized.

What needs to be done? A study by USAID and Water Sanitation Program (WSP) made the following recommendations:

1. Higher investments in the sanitation sector.

2. Underserved areas are top priority.

3. Information and behavior-change campaigns.

4. Evaluate technology options for improved sanitation.

5. More research on the impacts of poor sanitation.

*      *      *

TOP TEN MOST INFLUENTIAL CABINET MEMBERS . .

1. DOT Sec. Jose Rene Almendras; 2. DBM Sec. Florencio Abad; 3. Political Affairs Sec. Ronald Llamas; 4. Exec. Sec. Paquito Ochoa Jr.; 5. DSWD Sec. Dinky Soliman; 6. DA Sec. Proceso Alcala; 7. DOJ Sec. Leila de Lima; 8. Finance Sec. Cesar Purisima; 9. DPWH Sec. Rogelio Singson; 10. DepEd Sec. Armin Luistro.

Most of their departments got hefty increases in the 2013 budget.

*      *      *

RH VOTE . . The massive rally promised by CBCP held last Saturday at the Edsa Shrine drew only 10,000 people. This could be a sign that 70% of the populations support the RH bill as claimed by Malacañang.

The problem with the RH bill is so far no final version has emerged because it has not even gone through the period of amendments.

The CBCP claims it encourages abortion. There’s objection to the P13.5 billion to be used for the distribution of condoms and contraceptives. There’s a big debate on the issue of when to offer sex education classes.

People are still not fully informed of what the RH bill includes. Only when the House version is passed can people know what is provided for in the RH bill.

President Aquino invited Congressmen to the Palace to discuss the RH bill. If he presses hard for its approval, it will probably be approved.

Then the battle shifts to the Senate. 

*      *      *

CARJACKING IN QC . . The Mitsubishi Adventure of BIR employee Jessie Norvaez was carjacked in front of the BIR Revenue District office in QC. Four armed men forced their way into the vehicle and took the car and the driver to Bulacan where he was dropped off at NLEX.

The Police Chief of Omar town in Sulu, Nasirudin Jailani and 3 others were killed when armed men ambushed a convoy of Omar town Mayor Firhona Mohammad.

Alexandra Roxanne Black, 28, an American was held up in the Scout area in QC and divested of her laptop, cellphone and P10,000 in cash.

Jung Sun Her, 34, a Korean and her friends were robbed at Remedios Circle in Malate.

Five men on 3 motorcycles shot dead Abraham Kingking, 36 and Jayson Martin, 26, of Amparo Village, Caloocan.

A woman who was raped and strangled was found dead inside a sack in Sta. Ana, Manila. 

*      *      *

TIDBITS . . . Typhoon Gener leaves 46 dead, P340 million damage.

Koko Pimentel is expected forming the Liberal Party Coalition ticket.

The JBC vote on Supreme Court nominees has been postponed for tomorrow, Aug. 8. The IBP denied Sec. de Lima’s request to drop the charges against her.

Department of Justice filed charges against the makers of Red Bull for non compliance with Food and Drug Administration regulations.

Senator Legarda hails the Senate’s approval on second reading of Domestic Worker’s Convention.

Greetings to avid readers: Silvestre Villarin, Carmen Conge Carag, Vener Obispo of Pasig, Mila Hizon Ruasar, Barangay Chairman Boy Bata Alimagno of Candelaria, Quezon, Gen. Dionisio Santiago, Sylvia Gomez and Dr. Ramon Batungbakal.