DoST makes R&D on sustainable water resources a major priority

DoST Undersecretary for Research and Development Dr. Rowena Cristina Guevara provides the overview of the water sustainability landscape in the country. SCREENSHOT FROM DOST-SCIENCE FOR CHANGE PROGRAM FACEBOOK PAGE

WATER is a very valuable resource that greatly affects the quality of life of all, thus it is use should be managed well for sustainability.

In the 2018 report of the National Economic Development Authority, 12.32 percent out of 22.7 million households have no access to safe water supply, mostly from the indigenous and remote communities. The concern on water sanitation also rises every rainy and typhoon season.

During the Wave of Action: Forum on Ensuring Water Sustainability through S&T held on July 27 via the DoST-Science for Change Program Facebook Page, Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) is putting water resource management as one of major priorities in their research and development (R&D) programs through partnership with both public and private sectors.

“We (DoST) have been able to contribute to the development and application of technology and systems that could help to improve our water resources management in the country,” de la Peña said.

De la Peña cited the collaboration of DoST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development with the National Water Resources Board in monitoring the conditions of our water resources. Additional to that is their Climate Resilient Initiative, which provides scientific information on planning, critical infrastructure, particularly concerning climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

In the same forum, DoST Undersecretary for Research and Development Dr. Rowena Cristina Guevara shared the water sustainability landscape in the country.

“Water can be easily thought of as an abundant resource, however, according to the World Wildlife Organization, only 3 percent of countries’ water is freshwater that is suited for human use and consumption,” said Guevara.