QC named water and environment champion

The Quezon City Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department has been named as one of the country’s leading water and environment champions during the World Water Day Philippines Award 2023.

On World Water Day, March 22, 2023, CCESD Head Andrea A. Villaroman received the Water Warrior Award for Advocacy Leadership during a ceremony organized by the Maynilad Water Services, Inc., National Water Resources Board, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

“This recognition is a testament that the city’s initiatives in water conservation have positively impacted the lives of our residents. We are working closely with our partners and stakeholders to develop more programs to ensure water sufficiency for QCitizens in the future,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said. The Mayor herself was also a recipient of the award in 2021.

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According to Villaroman, as early as 2019, the city has already launched its Responsible Water Use Campaign which involves all stakeholders in water conservation measures.

Mayor Belmonte has strengthened the department’s cause by issuing a memorandum to all city departments, and barangays to use water responsibly and promote responsible water management.

Various efforts to deliberately attain water sufficiency are also in the pipeline as they are included in the Quezon City Enhanced Local Climate Change Action Plan (ELCCAP), the city’s strategic framework and roadmap in climate action.

“Quezon City is not immune to the threats of water insufficiency that mostly affects low-income communities. To improve water connections and avoid health and ecological risks, we are prioritizing the establishment of water-conserving sanitation systems in barangays and city-owned facilities.” Villaroman said.

The city also started assessing schools and city buildings for their viability for installation of rainwater harvesting systems and water storage tanks. These are complemented with training and seminars conducted in barangays and communities to ensure their understanding on the importance of water conservation.

Quezon City also partnered with water concessionaires for the installation of Hand Wash Facilities in several strategic points in Quezon City as part of the WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) Program. This project aims to ensure that people have access to clean water.