Green Forum Panay Guimaras, Inc.

FYI, early last June we were asked for inputs in the Mid-Term Review of the Philippines Medium Term Development Plan (2023-2028) particularly on the Chapter “Accelerating Climate Action and Disaster Resilience”. Green Forum Panay Guimaras, Inc., through Aksyon Klima Pilipinas, has put forward the following key policy recommendations to strengthen water resource management and sustainable development in the Philippines:

1. National Conjunctive Water Management (CWM) Act
• Objective: Establish a legal framework for integrated surface water and groundwater management.
• Key Provisions:
○ Mandate conjunctive water management (CWM) planning in all river basins and critical watersheds.
○ Create a National CWM Council (under DENR-NWRB) to oversee implementation.
○ Require local governments (LGUs) to integrate CWM into water security plans.
○ Allocate funding for aquifer mapping and real-time monitoring systems.
• Alignment with PDP: Supports Chapter 15 (Sustainable Infrastructure) and Climate Change Adaptation goals.

2. Groundwater Sustainability and Recharge Act
• Objective: Combat over-extraction and enhance groundwater replenishment.
• Key Provisions:
○ Implement a zoning-based well permit system tied to aquifer capacity.
○ Provide tax incentives for industries/LGUs adopting rainwater harvesting or infiltration basins.
○ Offer subsidies for farmers using floodwater diversion for recharge wells.
○ Enforce penalties for illegal deep wells and excessive extraction.
• Alignment with PDP: Strengthens Water Sector Reform under the PDP Midterm Update.

3. Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus Integration Bill
• Objective: Institutionalize cross-sectoral coordination for sustainable resource management.
• Key Provisions:
○ Require WEF Nexus impact assessments for large-scale projects (e.g., dams, irrigation systems).
○ Establish interagency committees (DENR, NIA, DOE, DA) to harmonize policies.
○ Pilot integrated CWM-WEF projects, such as solar-powered irrigation with groundwater recharge.
• Alignment with PDP: Links to Chapter 5 (Food Security) and Chapter 10 (Energy).

4. Local Government Water Resilience Act
• Objective: Strengthen LGUs’ capacity to implement CWM.
• Key Provisions:
○ Provide grants for LGU-led CWM projects (e.g., check dams, recharge ponds).
○ Conduct training programs for hydrologists and water managers.
○ Integrate CWM into Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) plans for drought/flood resilience.
• Alignment with PDP: Complements Devolution Mandates under the Mandanas Ruling.

5. Climate-Responsive Irrigation Modernization Act
• Objective: Enhance irrigation efficiency through CWM principles.
• Key Provisions:
○ Retrofit canals to divert excess water to recharge zones.
○ Promote solar-powered pumps to reduce energy costs for groundwater use.
○ Prioritize CWM in NIA projects, such as small reservoir systems.
• Alignment with PDP: Advances Agricultural Productivity and Clean Energy goals.

If there are similar review processes in our Local Development Plans, please give these concerns appropriate considerations. These can be transformed into local (regional, provincial, city and municipal) policies. Madamo gid nga salamat.

https://greenforumpg.org/

Green Forum Panay Guimaras At Green Forum Panay Guimaras, Inc., we are dedicated to building climate-resilient communities through education, advocacy, and sustainable solutions. Our mission is to equip citizens, policymakers, and organizations in Panay and Guimaras with the knowledge and tools needed to combat environmental....