Vice President and concurrent Department of Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte graced the opening program of the 45" Philippine Association of Water Districts National Convention with her presence and message of gratitude to local water districts for their support to the Office of the Vice President, DepEd and the Marcos administration, Feb. 27-29 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premiere, Davao City.
“Water is life. Where there is water, there is growth, survival, and the potential for life to flourish. However, water is a valuable resource that needs to be safeguarded. Our existence depends on its availability and accessibility,” said the Vice President Duterte in her keynote address during the opening program last Feb. 28.
She thanked PAWD for choosing Davao City — where she previously served as mayor — as convention host, emphasizing that water is one of the pillars of the city’s "L/fe /s Here”campaign owing to its substantial water resources
“I am here today to thank you for your hardwork in ensuring that Filipinos have access to clean water by supplying water services, encouraging wise water usage, and supporting larger community development initiatives. You play a difficult role in guaranteeing the health of every Filipino and the sustainable growth of good Filipino communities,” she added.
To ensure environment sustainability, she announced that the OVP, together with DepEd, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and other government agencies will plant one million trees under the "Pagbabago: A Million Learners and Trees Campaign.”
“I invite our water districts and other private sector partners to work with us and implement climate-action projects. Let us work together to increase public awareness regarding water conservation and responsible wastewater disposal. I urge you to enhance your efforts to educate the communities you serve and ensure a sustainable future for our water districts. Together, let us rise to the occasion and continue fulfilling our vital role as guardians of this precious resource,” she concluded.
Also, during the opening ceremony, Local Water Utilities Administration Chairman Ronnie Ong said that heis deeply honored to gather everyone and express his shared commitment to address the critical challenges facing the water resources.
He also announced the appointment of Atty. Jose Moises Salonga as new LWUA Administrator last Feb. 19.
A total of 1,751 delegates from 332 out of 532 water districts in the Philippines joined this year’s convention with the theme: "Water Wisdom: Holistic Management from Source to Tap andBeyond.”