With the feared El Niño phenomenon supposedly just around the corner, AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee has highlighted the need to immediately institutionalize the proposed Department of Water Resources Management (DWRM). Lee is the author of House Bill (HB) No. 2880, which is among a number of bills seeking to create a department which will consolidate all agencies concerning water resources. “Even without El Niño, many of our farmers already suffer from the effects of water shortage," said the neophyte solon. "May mga magsasaka po tayo na matagal nang nagtitiis at pinoproblema ang pagkakaroon ng maayos na irigasyon. Ngayong tag-init, marami sa mga sakahan ang natutuyot, na malaking kabawasan sa kanilang produksyon (We have farmers who have long been burdened by the lack of proper irrigation services. This summer will dry out a lot of farmlands, causing a huge blow to their production)," he noted. If passed into law, P2 billion shall be set aside from any available funds for the organization of the DWRM and its initial operations. Thereafter, funds to carry out the powers and functions of the agency shall be appropriated in the General Appropriations Act (GAA). Among the tasks of the DWRM include: 1\. Implement necessary policy and resource reforms with respect to the management of all water resources including irrigation\, sewage\, and sanitation; 2\. Monitor and evaluate compliance with the national goals relating to water\, irrigation\, sewage\, and sanitation; 3\. Formulate a national updated road map to address the water\, sewage\, and sanitation requirements of the State; and 4\. Improve conservation of water and increase system efficiencies\.