The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is speeding up the rollout of water infrastructure in underserved provinces by simplifying its permitting process, Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna announced during the 2026 World Water Day event.
Cuna said the agency will “cut red tape” by allowing regional offices to act as permitting accelerators. One-Stop Kiosks will also be set up so communities can track applications and access technical information more easily.
He warned that the country is facing a “water bankruptcy,” where water use is higher than natural supply, calling it a serious system problem that needs urgent action.
To address this, the DENR’s Water Resources Management Office is completing a ₱485 million roadmap for 2026. The plan includes expanding water systems to 59 barangays in areas such as Bohol, Palawan, Cebu, and Masbate.
Key measures include installing desalination and filtration systems to lower water costs, providing support to 13 water districts to expand services, and setting up water refilling stations with fixed low prices. The agency will also complete eight infiltration gallery projects by the end of 2026 to tap naturally filtered underground river flows.
Additional projects will bring water systems with micro-hydropower to upland communities in Kalinga, Benguet, and Sarangani.
To improve planning, the DENR is conducting groundwater surveys in 28 sites before drilling and will launch a national monitoring system to track water use across the country.
The program also promotes gender inclusion by supporting women’s leadership in water management, recognizing their key role in households and communities.
Cuna emphasized that investing in water infrastructure is essential for long-term sustainability and urged collective action to secure the country’s water future.
