By Chito Chavez The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has asked local government units (LGU) to expedite the issuance of permits related to water projects to avert a possible water crisis in 2020. DILG Secretary Eduardo Año (Photo from Philippine Information Agency / MANILA BULLETIN) DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año reminded the public it would be more disastrous if another water crisis occurs. In Memorandum Circular No. 2019-207, Año also called on provincial governors and city and municipal mayors to make the necessary preparations and extend the required support such as human resources, access roads to location, and availability of materials to start water-related projects in their localities. Año noted that Section 17 of the Local Government Code mandates LGUs to exercise necessary and appropriate powers and discharge functions for the efficient and effective provision of basic services and facilities. In March last year, Metro Manila residents experienced the worst water crisis in the past several years, with some 52,000 households in the east zone of the metropolis alone having to endure long lines to fetch water from fire trucks and water tanks. Public urged to conserve water Año also encouraged the public to participate in their communities’ initiatives to effectively manage water consumption. He noted the DILG has been a constant advocate and stakeholder for water conservation amid the challenges that Metro Manila faced earlier this year. The DILG in partnership with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), National Water Resource Board (NWRB), and Maynilad Water Services Inc. (Maynilad) launched “Oplan Tubig Para sa Kinabukasan” in November last year, in a bid to encourage social media users to join a water-saving campaign. The campaign’s hashtag “#1LTubigChallenge” or “Isang Litrong Tubig Challenge” asks individuals to use one liter of water in as many activities as they can through careful recycling and usage.