Filipinos will have a symbolic and joyful World Water Day celebration on March 22, as about 2,000 of them will gather at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila to form the largest human water drop coupled with an advocacy walk.

Dubbed as ‘Philippines Walks for Water’ and the forming of the largest human water drop aim to raise awareness on issues surrounding water and food supply and the importance of ensuring enough water. The walk and human drop formation will start at 2:30 in the afternoon.

Participants will come from various water-related government agencies such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Agriculture (DA), National Water Resources Board (NWRB), Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Department of Education, Division of City Schools (Quezon City), National Parks Development Authority, City of Manila, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Laguna Lake Development Authority.

Participants from private corporations such as Maynilad, Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) Company, Philippine Association of Water Districts, Philippine Water Partnerships, and Manila Water will join the event. Sagip Ilog Pilipinas Movement will also join the celebration. Maynilad will sponsor the March 22 event, which also includes the Water Festival at the Manila Ocean Park Aquatica in the afternoon starting at 5 p.m.

The “Philippines Walks for Water” event will start at the Quirino Grandstand where participants will wear white t-shits and be provided with blue foldable fans and stickers as they assemble. The walk proper will start at the grandstand with a brief program where Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino, Maynilad President Ricky Vargas and DENR Undersecretary Manuel Gerochi will welcome the people with brief messages.

Fifty (50) water jugs and 30 food baskets will be provided some of the participants before the walk proper and formation of human water drop to symbolize the importance of water in ensuring sufficient food for the Filipinos, following the theme “Katiyakan sa Tubig , Katiyakan sa Pagkain”.

The formation of water drop will last for only 15 minutes after which, the group will converge at the Aquatica of Manila Ocean Park for the Water Festival. The Water Festival will be highlighted with a signing on the commitment wall and messages from the Secretaries of DENR, Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the executives of Maynilad and PLDT.

Performances by Noel Cabangon, a known environmentalist, and other artists, and a film presentation on the importance of water by UP Cineaste will also highlight the Water Festival. The finale will be the Manila Ocean Parks’s Magical Fountain Show at 7 pm.

Other activities for the World Water Day include a “Water for Knowledge Fair” at the Edsa Shangri-la hosted by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and DPWH. There will also be simultaneous tree and mangrove planting at Siniloan river bank in Laguna and Tanza, Navotas, respectively.

The United Nations General Assembly designated March 22 as the World Water Day following the recommendation of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) for an international day to give importance to freshwater resources.