The President has directed the Local Water Utilities Administration to initiate a master plan that will address the severe water crisis expected to be felt in the country as early as 2010, Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella yesterday said.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources had warned that the Philippines will face a severe crisis in fresh water supply as early as 2010.

It said that the uncoordinated and uncontrolled exploitation of our country's water resources has had a major impact on the availability of clean safe water at present. A DENR study estimated that only 1,907 cubic meters of fresh water are available to each Filipino a year, putting the Philippines at the low end among Southeast Asian countries with fresh water availability.

The study noted that as early as now, water supply constraints could be felt in Metro Manila and eight key cities across the country, including Bacolod and Iloilo.

Puentevella said that he discussed the matter with the President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during her recent visit to the city.

He said the President has directed LWUA to take the matter up officially with the initiation of a master plan for the whole country including Bacolod City. Puentevella said it is too late to take it up the matter on the committee level since today is the last day of the 13th Congress.*CGS

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