Congress eyes water dep’t, traffic czar; DU30 takes a rest

Congress has moved to avert an impending water crisis and check worsening traffic congestion in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

Time to act smart. No to water shortage and traffic snarls.

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The House of Representatives has moved for the creation of the Department of Water Resources.

A separate agency to address vital water concerns, it urged.

The House Committee on Government Reorganization and Committee on Public Works and Highways jointly approved a substitute bill creating the Department of Water Resources (DWR) that would ensure reliable, safe, quality, and affordable water supply.

Let’s prevent water crisis in the country, the solons agreed. The two House panels unanimously approved the bill, pre¬sented by Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, chairman of the Technical Working Group (TWG) which consolidated 35 bills on the proposed creation of the Department of Water Resources.

“Water is a basic human right. Water is a public utility so it should be regulated by the government,” Salceda said.

Salceda said the new department will be the primary national agency responsible for the comprehensive and integrated planning, policy formulation, and management of water resources in the Philippines.

A Water Regulatory Commission (WRC) will be created as an independent regulatory and quasijudicial body under the umbrella of the new department, he said. Proposed to be transferred to the DWR are the functions of the following water agencies – River Basin Control Office Manila Bay Coordinating Office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Flood Management Planning and Sediment Functions of the DPWH, Water Supply and Sanitation Unit of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Water Quality Management Section of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the DENR

The measure also provides that the following agencies shall be attached to the DWR: Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC), and

National Irrigation Administration (NIA) as an infrastructure arm.

The DWR may also create subsidiaries, instrumentalities, and entities to engage in waterrelated programs, projects and activities.

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In the Senate, Sen. Grace Poe sponsored Senate Bill No. 1157, the proposed Mobile Relief Act to address traffic congestion in urban areas of the country.

Time for a mobility czar, she urged.

Under the bill, the mobility czar will be under the President and will be “ultimately responsible for transportation and related functions.

*** Meanwhile, President Duterte will just work at home instead of taking a planned three-day rest, Malacanang announced.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said despite the advice of friends, colleagues, and mostly likely even doctors, there is really no need for the President to take a leave of absence from work.

Just a little rest in Davao home is enough for Pres. Digong, he said.

Panelo added there was no medical concern about the President and that Duterte’s problem seems to be lack of sleep.