Photo Courtesy: WWF Secretariat
(20 May 2024, Bali) – Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources delivered the Philippines’ country statement during the High-Level Meeting of the 10th World Water Forum (WWF-10-HLM) in Bali, Indonesia on 20 May 2024, which was led by Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
In her speech, Secretary Yulo Loyzaga conveyed the Marcos’ administration’s core priority for equitable access to safe water and integrated water resources management in the country’s development plan. Through the Water Resources Management Office of the Philippines, the government has been able to implement strategic decisions in the conservation and investment of its water resources.
The Philippines addresses climate change and other challenges by balancing between supply and consumption of water for health and food to maintain water security. The country is adopting an all-hazards approach to de-risk investments and pursuing green and blue nature-based solutions to be more inclusive with respect to communities and the ecosystem.
Secretary Yulo Loyzaga conveyed appreciation to the WWF-10 and that the Philippines shares in the understanding that access to water is a basic human right, and that sustainable water systems are key to achieving inclusive and sustainable development.
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