DILG chief urges LGUs to conserve water

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MANILA — Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II has enjoined all local chief executives (LCEs) to raise public awareness about water conservation and sustainable water management in time for the celebration of World Water Day on March 22.

In a memorandum circular, Roxas emphasized that while water resources development contributes to economic productivity, rapid water scarcity can limit development.

“Pangalagaan po natin ang malinis na tubig na maaaring inumin para hindi magkasakit ang mga tao (Let us take care of clean, potable water so people won’t get sick),” Roxas said.

Recognizing the importance of a potable water supply, Roxas has made the “SALINTUBIG” as one of the priority programs of the DILG.

“SALINTUBIG” stands for Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig para sa Lahat, a program that aims to provide waterless communities with clean and potable supply of water.

For this year, the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) has identified 89 local government units (LGUs) as target beneficiaries of the program.

Roxas also encouraged all local chief executives to conduct simple but meaningful activities as part of their information campaign on the 2015 World Water Day celebration.

These activities can focus on the significance of safe and potable water, water source protection, water conservation measures, water quality monitoring, improved sanitation, proper waste disposal and hand-washing hygiene promotion and toilet maintenance.

Minor repairs and rehabilitation of existing barangay, municipal, provincial or inter-local waterworks and irrigation systems can also be conducted along with water sampling, testing and analysis, as examples of meaningful activities that also render services for citizens.

The United Nations General Assembly has designated March 22 of every year as World Water Day. This year’s theme is “Water and Sustainable Development.

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