Brothers and sisters, the El Niño phenomenon has brought devastating drought upon us, and many of our people are experiencing the effects of the depletion of water, especially in the metropolis. With the increase in population and continuous rise of temperature brought about by climate change, the water crisis is getting worse.
No sector suffers more than agriculture because it consumes most of the water supply needed for irrigation. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), in the coming years, the agriculture sector’s need for water will rise.
About 80 percent of fresh water in Asia is used to irrigate farm lands. However, some of our water resources are wasted due to ineffective use and misuse of this precious resource. This is because most of the irrigation facilities in the Philippines are old or inefficient.
Climate change is also making life more difficult. During seasons of drought, water is scarce, and many plantations are affected. There’s the threat that the produce will not be enough, thus, to have sufficient supply of food, we resort to imports. This is another expense. In importing food products, the price is not the only issue. We must try to compete with others in the global market.
Brothers and sisters, we can project the number of people in the future, as well as the need for sufficient food supply. Which is why many of us must prepare the proper facilities to ensure the continuous supply of water.
However, the country’s budget is being distributed to the needs of the nation, and our government at this time seemingly does not prioritize irrigation. If the country’s irrigation system is improved, farmers will become more productive.
The “Build, Build, Build” project of the Duterte administration must also give priority to agricultural infrastructure. Farm-to-Market roads are not enough to support our farmers. Irrigations are needed to ensure the delivery of food to the market.
The government must find long-term solutions to the current problems. It has also to prepare citizens to face the challenges of the future. If the government keeps spending the national budget for projects that strangle the people, then the government has failed in its primary mandate: to serve the people. According to Mater et Magistra, the government has an obligation to actively take action for the good of the people.
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