Bagon, Jerome L.

FMA 3A

GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

I believe that Philippines will achieve universal and equitable access to safe and
affordable drinking water for all by 2030. Ensuring universal access to safe and
affordable drinking water for all by 2030 requires we invest in adequate
infrastructure, provide sanitation facilities, and encourage hygiene at every level.
Protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems such as forests, mountains,
wetlands and rivers is essential if we are to mitigate water scarcity. More
international cooperation is also needed to encourage water efficiency and support
treatment technologies in developing countries. According to UNICEF, in
the Philippines, 91% of the country's estimated 100.7 million population have access to
at least basic water services; but access is highly inequitable across the country, with
regional basic water services access ranging from 62% to 100%. The Philippines Safe
Water project provides local government units, water service providers, and watershed
councils in target provinces with the information, incentives, and partnerships they
require to identify and address barriers to a water-secure future—yielding life-saving
gains in access to water supply and sanitation services for unserved and underserved
households in the Philippines’ most water-stressed communities .

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the world turns to a simple age-old

solution to reduce the risk of disease transmission – handwashing with soap and water.
On October 15, 2020, this year’s celebration of Global Handwashing Day will be its
most significant yet. For the first time, two of the most crucial government agencies in
shaping the future and well-being of a generation are coming together to mark the
beginning of a stronger partnership. “DepEd has been celebrating Global Handwashing
Day in schools since 2008, in recognition of the importance of building the habit of
handwashing among children to ensure their health. Through our WASH in Schools
Program, DepEd has institutionalized actions to improve handwashing facilities and
instill handwashing behavior among learners. And now under the new normal, our Basic
Education-Learning Continuity Plan also integrates handwashing practice as part of the
required health standards. With the children continuing their learning at home because
of the pandemic, we call on families to make their homes a safe environment to live and
learn; and teach their children to make handwashing a habit. And when we do return to
school, handwashing will be key in ensuring safety of our children,” says DepEd
Secretary Leonor Briones.

GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Since the start of the term of Duterte, building resilient infrastructure, promoting
inclusive and sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation became one of the
administration’s priorities. ‘DuterteNomics’ is a catch-all term referring to the
socioeconomic policies of Rodrigo Duterte, the 16th and current president of the
Philippines. A significant part of these policies includes the development of
infrastructure and industries in the Philippines. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez
III has said that the government required what he describes as an "audacious"
economic strategy in order for the Philippines to "catch up with its more vibrant
neighbors" by 2022 and help it achieve high-income economy status within a
generation. The term ‘DuterteNomics’ was coined to describe the economic policy of the
Duterte administration. The term also refers to the series of forums where Duterte's
economic team pitches the administration's plan to help the country become a high-
middle-income economy by 2022.

GOAL 14: Life Below Water

I believe that Philippines Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and
marine resources for sustainable development by 2030. Under the Duterte
administration on April 26, 2018, the Philippine resort island of Boracay, one of the
country's major tourist destinations, was temporarily closed to the general public as part
of the government's efforts to rehabilitate and redevelop the island. As part of the
closure, Boracay was closed for six months except to its registered residents and
employees. In a business forum held on February 9, 2018, President Rodrigo
Duterte called the island of Boracay a "cesspool" and announced plans to close the
island to tourists and conduct a rehabilitation on the island in June 2018 to resolve the
worsening sewage conditions there. Duterte has directed Environment secretary Roy
Cimatu to resolve the environmental issues in the island.

After the success of the Boracay island rehabilitation, Duterte administration

ordered to rehabilitate and develop the Manila bay. On January 27, 2019, DENR
Secretary Roy A. Cimatu officially declared the start of the Manila Rehabilitation at the
Baywalk in Manila.  On hand to witness the declaration, and also joined in the earlier
event of Solidarity Walk from the Quirino Grandstand to the staging area (Baywalk),
were about 5,000 individuals, mostly representing the 13 Mandamus agencies, local
government units, and private sector. Calling it the “Battle for Manila Bay,” Cimatu, a
former Armed Forces chief, said: “This is one battle that will be won not with force or
arms, but with the firm resolve to bring Manila Bay back to life.” 

I believe these efforts by the government will inspire other local government units
to clean and protect their oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable
development. Hoping that the next president in 2022 will continue these efforts for the
benefit of our countrymen.