OCD XI pushes water security measures ahead of looming El Niño

BY ALDRIN JAMES A. BOHOL, ROCHELLE ANN UBAUB & JADE G. GUMBAN/DNSC Interns

THE OFFICE of Civil Defense (OCD) XI is pushing for water security solutions and inter-district partnerships to prepare for the looming El Niño and secure water supply across Davao Region.

During the Kapihan forum at SM City Ecoland on Monday, April 27, ‎OCD XI regional director Ednar G. Dayanghirang emphasized the need for new solutions to preserve resources and strengthen partnerships among water districts to mitigate the effects of drought.

‎‎”When it’s the dry season, there really is no water, so maybe it’s about time to use technology and what is available from the private sector. Those desalination machines, and they also have small ones. For example, we at OCD have a partnership with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). During our shearline operations, the MMDA also deploys their equipment — just backpack-sized units that can make water from streams into portable water,” he said.

‎‎Dayanghirang noted that almost all districts in the Davao region have secured water resources, but coordination remains critical to ensure equitable distribution during the dry spell.

‎He said that desalination machines are ideal for far-flung areas, but partnering with the private sector is crucial if budgets are scarce.

‎‎”What needs to be done is to make it potable water. There are big companies in Davao, Cebu, and even in Manila that can be partnered with LGUs so that water can be made available,” Dayanghirang said.

‎‎”So what’s important is the money, the resources of our LGUs. If we only rely on disaster funds, that’s only 5% —that’s very insufficient. So 70% for prevention and mitigation, then 30% for response. and we are just waiting for the official announcement from President BBM [President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.], to realign their local development fund,” he added.

‎‎The OCD XI is urging local government units and water districts to consolidate efforts, share resources, and establish early warning systems to address water scarcity before it escalates into a full-blown crisis.