Rep. Co bares availability of ₧10-B fund in GAA for devt of solar-powered projects

THE chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations on Wednesday revealed there exists a P10 billion fund in the 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA) for the construction of solar-powered water supply systems to address water supply challenges exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon across the country.

House Committee on Appropriations Chairman Elizaldy Co of Ako Bicol Party list said the

Congress, under Speaker Martin Romualdez’s leadership, has allocated the fund to provide solar water systems to upland areas, enabling access to essential services that were previously lacking.

“Even prior to the onset of the El Niño phenomenon, the Congress has allocated a significant budget of P10 billion in the 2023 GAA for the construction of solar-powered water supply systems across the country,” Co said.

He noted that the Congress is committed to provide solar-powered water supply systems to 60 percent or 40 million Filipinos in the upland barangays to have access to potable water.

Co emphasized that access to water is a basic human right, vital for the realization of all other human rights.

“According to the United Nations, clean and safe potable water is not yet fully provided to the public. Recognizing this, Speaker Romualdez and the

Congress remain steadfast in their mission to bridge this gap and ensure that every Filipino has access to clean and safe water,” Co said.

“By prioritizing the allocation of resources, implementing proactive measures, and leaving no one behind, Speaker Romualdez and the Congress are making significant strides in improving the lives of Filipinos through the extension of water access across the nation,” he added.

Co earlier said solar-powered water supply systems could help ascertain reliable access to clean water, especially in impoverished, far-flung, and upland communities.

He noted that solar-powered water supply systems have proven successful in addressing the water needs of areas that require a sustainable and dependable water source.

By promoting responsible water management practices, adopting innovative technologies, and empowering communities, Co said the country could enhance its resilience and minimize the impact of El Niño to local farmers and their livelihoods.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration earlier declared that El Niño is here in the country and that it may intensify in the coming months through the first quarter of 2024. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz