JUNE 8, 2012 DATE

NR # 2764
REF. NO.

Creation of Central Luzon Water Council pushed

A lady lawmaker is seeking the creation of the Central Luzon Water Council to consolidate, coordinate and regulate all water-related activities and promote conservation and protection of water in the region. Rep. Josefina Manuel-Joson (1st District, Nueva Ecija) filed House Bill 6103, to be known as the Central Luzon Water Council Act, to protect the life and property, and promote the general welfare of the people in Central Luzon, which are essential in the enjoyment of the blessing of democracy through the conservation and protection of water resources in the area. Joson sought the immediate approval of the measure as she noted that Central Luzon, which is popularly known as the Philippine rice granary, is one of the most typhoon-ravaged and flood-prone regions in the country. It suffers from the onslaught of floods due to its natural terrain. Farmers raise the concern of the extreme realities of flood and drought that they frequently experience. This region thus deserves the adequate protection from these natural hazards, Joson said. Government must harness its capability to take advantage of the enormous water resources the region receives during typhoons into a useful natural resource not only for the farmers but to other end users, Joson added. The bill creates the Central Luzon Water Council, which shall be the sole policymaking body of the government within the Central Luzon region for the conservation and protection of water resources and flood prevention and control in the area. It is also tasked to coordinate, monitor and evaluate the programs and action plans of the different local government units in the area. Likewise, it shall ensure the optimum utilization, exploitation, development, conservation and protection of the water resources and the prevention and control of potential damage brought by natural water hazards in Central Luzon. Within one year from its organization, the council shall formulate a framework strategy, master plan and program on water resource conservation, impoundment and utilization for Central Luzon. The council shall be chaired by the chairman of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council with the regional director of the Department of Public Works and Highways as the vice chairperson.

JUNE 8, 2012 DATE

NR # 2764
REF. NO.

Named as council members are the regional director of the National Water Resources Board, the regional director of the Department of Agriculture, the regional director of the Department of Energy, the regional director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the regional director of the Department of Health, the regional director of the Department of Interior and Local Government, the regional director of the Department of Science and Technology, the regional director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the regional director of the National Economic Development Authority, the regional director of the National Housing Authority, the chairperson of the National Water Review Board, the head of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the provincial governments and the city mayors of Central Luzon, representative from the farmers sector, representative from the indigenous community and representative from the academe. The NWRB, in coordination with the NDRRMC and the DILG, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the proposed act. (30)
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