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Quenching Policy Thirst: Reforming Water Governance in the Philippines


Water is a crucial resource for socio-economic development, but access to safe drinking water and sanitation remains a global challenge. In 2020, two billion people relied on unsafe drinking water, and nearly half the world's population lacked access to safely managed sanitation. The Philippines faces significant water resource challenges due to population growth, urbanization, ecosystem degradation, pollution, and climate change. These factors put pressure on the quantity and quality of water supply, necessitating sustainable water management practices. Despite successful integrative approaches in other countries, the Philippines lacks a coherent water governance framework, leading to fragmented institutional responsibilities, inadequate planning, and poor water utility performance. This policy brief assesses policy options to address these challenges and explores proposed water governance reforms, including the creation of a Department of Water Resources and a Water Regulatory Commission. Drawing insights from global experiences and previous studies, the paper offers recommendations for comprehensive reforms to ensure sustainable water resources and equitable access to safe water supply and sanitation for all Filipinos.


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