Challenges of Water Governance in the Philippines
Agnes C. Rola1, Juan M. Pulhin2, Guillermo Q. Tabios III3,
Joy C. Lizada4, and Maria Helen F. Dayo5
1College of Public Affairs and Development, University of the Philippines Los Baños and National Academy of Science and Technology, College, Los Baños,Laguna, 4031, Philippines
2College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Banos,
College, Los Baños, Laguna, 4031, Philippines
3College of Engineering, University of the Philippines Diliman and National Academy of Science and Technology, Diliman, Quezon City, 1101, Philippines
4College of Management, University of the Philippines Visayas,
Iloilo City, Iloilo, 5000 Philippines
5Gender Center, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College,
Los Baños, Laguna, 4031, Philippines
corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. \ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ABSTRACT
Using a multi-dimensional framework of governance, this paper analyzed the state of water governance in the Philippines from the legal, organizational, and operational perspectives at various governance levels. Data were taken from secondary sources and case studies done by the authors. Results showed that the many legal documents for water are a source of confusion; that water data for planning are inadequate; that there are numerous water agencies, these are not connected vertically nor horizontally; and, that these various institutions do not have sufficient human and financial resources and presence at the local level to be effective in their mandates. The authors recommend: 1) to review the legal and institutional framework for water; 2) to improve on planning and decision making mandates; and, 3) to study and implement more participatory models of water governance fitted to the Philippine context.
INTRODUCTION
Development practitioners all over the world have recognized the role of water governance in addressing future water scarcity. In 2001, Kofi Anan of the United Nations and in 2002, Tadao Chino, former Asian Development Bank (ADB) President, have both declared that the water crisis is a governance crisis. An ADB report further stated that if some Asian countries will face a water crisis in the future, it will not be because of physical scarcity of water, but because of inadequate or inappropriate water governance (including management practices, institutional arrangements, and socio-political conditions), which leave much to be desired (ADB 2007). For the Asia-Pacific region, the literature contends that water shortage will become a major constraint in the economic and social development of the region's individual countries unless equitable and efficient water allocation . . . . read more
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