MANILA – Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said Thursday that the Philippines is at risk of “water bankruptcy” as demand continues to outpace natural replenishment.

In a press briefing during the 2026 World Water Day event in Manila, Cuna highlighted the call to conserve water as the government ramps up efforts to address water gaps.

“The Philippines is facing a challenge of water bankruptcy, where national consumption outpaces nature’s ability to replenish,” he said.

“We are meeting this challenge with science and a clear tactical roadmap. Today, we are sharing with you what we have done, the results of our PHP485 million investment, which is set to benefit over 440,000 individuals by the end of 2026.”

In his presentation, DENR Undersecretary Carlos Primo David underscored the agency’s programs to bring potable water to the country’s remote provinces, targeting 250 small islands where drinking water is scarce.

Most of these areas, David said, are in Mindanao and the Visayas.

He, however, also noted areas in Luzon where residents have very little to no access to safe drinking water.

The DENR, he said, is implementing a mix of desalination systems, water refilling stations, and subsurface water extraction technologies.

He said that interventions are concentrated in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, particularly small islands with little or no freshwater sources.

“The situation is dire,” David said, describing communities that still depend on unsafe sources.

“It is unacceptable that we are now in the year 2026 when there are still Filipinos who fetch water from unsafe sources, such as shallow wells like this.”

Among the key solutions being deployed are modular desalination systems, which convert seawater into potable water, eliminating the need for residents to travel to the mainland to fetch water.

Programs reach only a fraction

David, however, acknowledged that despite ongoing interventions in more than 400 locations, the scale remains insufficient compared to the country’s total need.

He noted that the 405,000 Filipinos who have already been served or targeted by current projects are only 1 percent of the 40 million people who still lack adequate access to safe water.

The department estimates that PHP200 billion is needed to fully address water scarcity nationwide.

David, however, said limited fiscal space is the biggest barrier to expanding water access.

“The biggest challenge is funding,” he said.

Still, he emphasized the long-term value of its investments.

“We are investing about PHP1,000 per person, and that goes a long way because almost forever, they will have access to water,” he added.

David said the current program’s cost is equivalent to only a handful of large infrastructure projects but already delivers significant social impact, noting that the budget given to the department is “money well spent.”

Meanwhile, Cuna underscored the need for conservation and inter-agency coordination, especially with the possibility of dry conditions later this year.

He also called on the public to take part in water conservation efforts.

“We hope to remind the public that every drop matters. Water is really something our country should treasure. This is a gift, but we must protect and conserve it,” he said.

“As an ordinary Filipino citizen, in terms of helping conserve water, I mean as simple as not allowing your water to run while you’re taking a shower or brushing your teeth.”

He also urged the public to immediately report leakage due to busted water pipes as their social responsibility.