INTRODUCTION
First of all, let me offer my heartfelt congratulations to the officers and staff of the local water utilities administration (LWUA) as we celebrate today the 21st anniversary of this important organization.

Through more than two decades, LWUA has been the key to our efforts to provide safe, affordable and sufficient supply of potable water to all communities in the countryside.

A sufficient supply of water makes possible every aspect of human and social life. In short, we need water as a matter of survival and to power our drive to modernization and prosperity.

That is why assuring that our people have an abundant supply of this precious commodity in their homes and communities ranks high in my administration’s priorities. This task largely falls on LWUA and the water districts.

Under our shared vision of development we call “Philippines 2000!!!”, we have set out to insure that 90% of the Philippine population will be provided with potable water supply by the end of this century.

To underscore our determination, I recently directed the cabinet cluster on physical infrastructures (Cabinet Cluster “D”) to convene a working group on water which shall integrate all the information needed to effectively address the issues and problems bearing on water resources development. This will form the basis for a multi-sectoral summit on water conservation and utilization which I have scheduled on 9 December 1994. In this way, we can build on the many accomplishments we have already posted and determine the best long-term solutions to our perennial water problems.

PEOPLE EMPOWERMENT AND
WATER SUPPLY DEVELOPMENT
LWUA’s promotion and implementation of the water district concept has proved to be the best method of providing potable water in the countrysides.

This concept is based on people empowerment, upon which our quest for “Philippines 2000!!!” is anchored.

It holds that provincial water supply management is best undertaken through self-reliance, wherein the people themselves — with minimum or no subsidy at all from government — are encouraged to develop and operate a vital public utility.

In order that the public utility shall remain viable, the water district concept further stresses public responsibility — that is, the users themselves must pay for every drop of water consumed. By paying their own way, they assure that their water needs are provided continuously.

Because the water district concept stresses self-reliance and financial viability, its implementation has immensely contributed in dispelling such undesirable social attitudes as mendicancy and dependence — negative values that have eroded the initiative and enterprise of our countrymen.

The undesirable traits have been supplanted with positive values as self-help and cooperation that enable our countrymen to get for themselves life’s necessities that others can never adequately provide.

Application of the water district concept has demonstrated that people empowerment works — and works for the people’s benefit.

People empowerment harnesses the talents and vigor of our countrymen and gives them greater confidence in their ability to improve their stations in life. It shows that we Filipinos can do it if only we put our hearts and minds into realizing our goals and aspirations.

600 WATER DISTRICTS
In only two decades, LWUA has helped promote countryside development by establishing more than 600 independent, locally-controlled water districts.

These districts provide safe and reliable water service to more than 15 million people nationwide.

In not a few instances, water districts have taken over the services that the moribund National Water and Sewerage Administration (NAWASA) used to offer. We can point to the water districts of Cagayan de Oro city; Davao City; Dasmarinas, Cavite; San Jose, Occidental Mindoro; and many others as shining examples of successful provincial water institutions.

With a modest capitalization of p2.5 billion and an equally modest foreign borrowing of $146 million, LWUA has been able to finance the implementation of more than 1,000 large, medium-sized and small water supply improvement projects for water districts and areas throughout the country.

In the process, LWUA has also helped accelerate the transfer of modern technology and management expertise to the countryside.

I am also very pleased to note that LWUA and the water districts have been able to continuously improve their financial condition through strict collection and other revenue-enhancement campaigns.
Achieving healthy financial status makes possible other activities. LWUA has already started to reinvest its still modest but steadily growing surplus cash to finance viable water projects. In the case of water districts, some of them are already funding small-scale water system improvement and expansion projects utilizing their own reserve funds.

In this respect, I have directed the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Population Commission (PopCom) to assist the Secretary of Public Works and Highways in preparing the water supply and sanitation investment plan.

Secretary Vigilar has already submitted a budgetary requirement of p156 billion for the water component of our “Philippines 2000!!!” program. Of this amount, p74 billion is earmarked for ensuring potable water supply for Metro Manila and the rest of the country.

INCREASED CAPITALIZATION FOR LWUA
I have certified as an urgent administration measure the bill authored by Representative Erico Aumentado of Bohol seeking to increase LWUA’s authorized capital stock from p2.5 billion to p10 billion.

I am well convinced that this measure is necessary to assure continuous and adequate government credit financing of provincial water projects well into the next decade.

This bill has already been passed by the house of representatives. However, the Senate version still has to hurdle committee deliberations.

SANITATION AND ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
LWUA has done well in setting up the water systems and facilities in most of the 600 water districts nationwide, but sadly, our efforts in important related areas have lagged behind — in improving sanitation, in waste water treatment, in water conservation and in the protection of water resources and the environment.

The extent of work still to be undertaken in improving sanitation is evident from the high incidence of water-borne diseases that afflict our people.

Diarrhea remains the country’s second leading cause of illness among Filipinos and the fourth leading cause of death among our children. We have not yet totally controlled typhoid and cholera in our cities and towns.

A study conducted recently revealed that in urban communities alone, about 9 million people are adversely affected by lack of adequate and hygienic household sanitation facilities.

Another cause for alarm is that a still substantial amount of industrial and other waste waters are channeled raw and untreated into lakes, rivers and coastal waters, causing pollution which threaten both marine and land-based life.

I have already approved a long-term urban sewerage and sanitation program for the country, and we have adopted as a matter of national policy the provision of improved sewerage and sanitation services in the urban areas.

Your agency has a big role in the implementation of the waste management program since its central program and support office will be housed in LWUA. This office shall coordinate sub-sector activities at the national level and assist local government units in planning and managing sanitation and sewerage programs at the community level.

We are also concerned about the rapid deforestation rates in watershed areas. Without trees, rainwaters cascade down the mountains and flow straight out to the sea. As a result, groundwater sources and aquifers are not replenished and eventually dry up.

I am pleased to note that LWUA under the present board has been using its own resources and providing the lead in watershed management. You are showing that LWUA is indeed serious in addressing the problems so that all may benefit.

ENSURING SUSTAINABLE GROWTH
In closing, let me tell you that our protracted economic crisis has been turned around, and that our country is back in business as a vigorous competitor. There is now a positive outlook for the Philippines, in the eyes of international investors and multilateral financial institutions which has been strengthened by the recent breakthroughs we have achieved in the economy.

New opportunities are now available to us as we take advantage of the dramatic growth in investments, exports and tourism development of some 40 growth centers countrywide to include the East ASEAN Growth Area in Mindanao. We are moving forward, and the task at hand is to keep up our growth momentum.

On this score, I call upon the water districts to pursue its important role in waging our economic battle. As partners in community development and nation-building, we can do our part in the quest for modernization and prosperity by running our districts efficiently and by looking for better ways to enhance the welfare of the public.

Sustainable growth should be pursued with utmost consideration to existing and potential resources. We must strive to conserve water and to protect our watersheds to ensure the survival of the future generation.

I call on the whole water sector to do what it can to effectively address the water-related concerns we face. Please do what you can on your own without waiting for prodding from government or others. Our welfare and our future are too sacred to be left to chance. Let us all act together now.

Again, my congratulations and warm greetings to all.

Thank you and good day.