The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is raising calls for greater water security for the country’s future needs, as it leads a weeklong activity to highlight the celebration of the 2019 World Water Day (WWD) on March 22 with focus on accessibility to clean water and sanitation as a basic human right.

This year’s WWD celebration will adopt the objective of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (ASD) which calls for concerted actions both on rich and poor countries to end poverty and tackle climate change while leaving no one behind.
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A series of activities have been lined up nationwide from March 15- 31 to raise awareness about the importance of water and sustainable development, highlighting the 6th of the 17 Sustainable Goals of the 2030 ASD which is to ensure availability and sustainable management of water for all by 2030.

The activities center around the local theme “Hawak-Kamay, Tubig-Kaagapay” in support of the 2019 WWD’s international theme “Leaving No One Behind” which forms the core of the 2030 ASD.

Topping the weeklong celebration is the holding of the World Water Day Awards on March 22 and the launching of “The Battle for Esteros” on March 31 which will be highlighted by the simultaneous massive cleanup of some 65 esteros and waterways within the National Capital Region.

At the forefront of the cleanup are concerned barangay executives and their constituents linking up with officials and employees of the DENR, including those of the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Department of Tourism, who will be deployed for the cleanup.

The award-giving event will honor some 20 individuals, institutions, and programs that made strides in achieving water and environment sustainability in the Philippines. It is to take place at the Novotel Manila Araneta Center, Quezon City.

Since 2015, a total of 54 “water champions” have been recognized which include leaders of indigenous peoples, community workers, media personalities, local government units and academe based organizations.

The following are the awards to be given out this year: KAVANTOG DO’T AWED (OvuManubo term for “Hero of the Water”); KaagapaysaTubigKanlungan; Kampeon ng Lawa; HuwarangLingkodTubig; Kampeon ng Katubigan; HuwarangLingkod; Planet-Wise Organization; Water Leadership Award; HuwarangAlagad ng Ilog Pasig; and Water Warrior Award for Advocacy Leadership and for Water Education.; and KaagapaysaTubigKanlungan.

Other activities lined up include launch of “Tubig Para saLahat”, a coffee table book and an exhibit at the DILG Central Office (March 18-22); Water Philippines 2019 Expo and Conference at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay (March 20-22); DPWH Cleanup and Hiking Activity in Mount Pulag National Park in Benguet (March 23-24) and 20-kilometer bike tour and cleanup “Padyak Para saKatubigan” from the DENR Central office in Quezon City to the Navotas Centennial Park in Navotas City.

The 2019 WWD kicked-off with Water Fair and SiningIpoSungka Tournament held in Taytay, Rizal last March 15.

Meanwhile, other activities already conducted in various parts of the country in consonance with WWD include the following: DILG and NWRB information and education campaign dubbed “Nangangalaga ng Water Resources ng Bansa in Lipa, Batangas on March 18;“PistasaTubig: Water and Green Enterprises Fair in Gen. Nakar, Quezon last March 19;Mangrove Planting and Cleanup in Kawit, Cavite and Pututan, Muntinlupa, March 16 and 19;“DaloyDunong + BuhayKyut” in Ramos, Tarlac and Baliuag, Bulacan; ARTIVISM at the DENR Central Office; Forum on “The Philippines Water Sector: Gaps and Opportunities at Joy Nastalg Hotel Manila in Pasig, March 20; and “National Water Summit at Novotel Manila Araneta Center Hotel in Quezon City, March 21. ###