Water security, a special focus

It is really very simple – the aim of water security is to make the most of it for all living beings and our ecosystems through its benefits and, on the other hand, limit the risks and destruction caused by it in order to protect our communities. There is such a thing, after all, as too much water or too little water and not to mention, good and bad quality of water.

Water security is a term that refers to the society’s capacity to have enough water of sufficient quality needed for survival, as well as the ability to carry out the many different productive activities required by a person or system. This is why during President PBBM’s second SONA, he specifically noted that water security deserves our special focus.

But what exactly is the role of water security and how can we fully achieve this? It is a very important question to ask, as everyone must understand that a society with water security is in a very good position to improve the living standards, especially of the most vulnerable. If we look deeply into the more nature-based solutions that ensure water security such as mangrove conservation or wetland restoration, society can look at how we have been able to address climate changes that affect our environment as well as our communities, where such solutions increase water availability and quality and mitigate risks from water related disasters.

As many of us know by now, PBBM signed an executive order creating an office that will ensure the availability and sustainable management of water resources in the country. The Water Resources Management Office was created to address the challenges affecting the management of water resources in the country seen in the water and sanitation sector, increased demand for water due to population and economic growth, impacts of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, lack of infrastructure and inconsistent government regulations.

Water security by all means is so important as it is key to our food security, as the agricultural sector requires huge amounts of water for irrigation and production. In terms of water safety, it is also necessary for people to have reliable water sources for drinking and basic hygiene to prevent infection and waterborne illnesses.

One important point I would also like to emphasize is on the importance of water security to peace and security. Water diplomacy and cooperation can contribute to peace, especially when countries come together to strengthen their climate resilience by managing a shared water source and improving other natural resources to prevent the further exploitation of the most vulnerable populations. There’s really much ado about water where everyone everywhere has a right to it and in the Philippines, it is important to address the problem for those that do not have access to it so that no one is left behind.

The El Niño phenomenon can certainly have a negative impact on the country and long-term solutions that help drive sustainable development in ensuring water for all is definitely everybody’s concern as it drives our most essential industries – agriculture, energy and transportation. This is why President Marcos said in his SONA that our efforts must not be scattershot but rather cohesive, centralized and systematic.

The fundamental importance of water simply means that life as we know it cannot exist without it and all water in the planet is linked in a vast cycle; it also controls and affects our climate. It is therefore our job both as citizens and government officials to put water to work by making good use of it and by doing so, we are making sure that there is enough for all, as safeguarding sustainable access to clean water ensures the preservation of our land.