Is There Still a Need to Legislate? A Water Policy Agenda for the Philippines

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This issue discusses whether or not there is a need to legislate a specific policy agenda for water governance in the country. The author assesses the present set-up of water governance in the country as well as the existing environment at the local and national levels that will either facilitate or slow down development in water management. He recommends that given the existing water crisis, both the local and national governments can do much to respond to the issue by creating a supportive environment among local government units (LGUs) that share certain water resources. Empowerment plays an important role at the local level. At the national level, however, he cautions that the creation of another body will only add confusion and burden to a bureaucratic set-up that is already saddled with an endless flow of problems.