Senator Loren Legarda is urging the Department of Education (DepEd) and local government units (LGUs) to install rainwater catchment systems in public schools to prepare for possible water shortages caused by El Niño.
Legarda said schools should start collecting and storing rainwater while some areas are still experiencing rainfall, instead of waiting for prolonged dry spells to hit.
The proposal is the first of 10 measures in her El Niño action plan, which aims to help communities prepare for the effects of the weather phenomenon expected to last until the first quarter of 2027.
“May mga lugar na umuulan pa ngayon. Dapat ngayon pa lang, naglalagay na tayo ng mga rain catchment facilities upang maipon ito,” Legarda said.
The senator wants DepEd and LGUs, in coordination with PAGASA, to identify suitable schools for the installation of rain barrels, roof gutters and storage tanks. The collected water can be used for flushing toilets and cleaning school facilities, particularly in areas with unreliable water supply.
DepEd’s existing Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools (WinS) guidelines already recognize rainwater catchment systems as a way to maintain sanitation during emergencies and in communities without regular access to water.
Legarda also called for water deliveries to schools in areas already experiencing severe drought, suggesting that LGUs work with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and local water districts to fill storage tanks for emergency use.
“Sa mga lugar kung saan umuulan at uulan pa, lagyan natin ng rainwater catchment systems. Para naman sa mga lugar na nasa kasagsagan na ng El Nino, dapat sila ay mahatiran ng tubig,” she said.
The senator said the proposed installations must consider each school’s needs, available roof space and local rainfall patterns. Regular cleaning and proper storage will also be needed to prevent contamination and mosquito breeding.IMT
