The Embassy of Israel in Manila joined the House of Representatives Committee on
Climate Change led by Atty. Edgar Migriño Chatto, Bohol First District
Representative, at their regular meeting on April 20.
The embassy shared Israel’s best practices on water resources management with
the House committee.
Ambassador Ilan Fluss mentioned in his remarks that Israel and the Philippines are
highly vulnerable to the impact of climate change and that both experience extreme
weather events that affect water management.
“It is vital for us to have conversations on how we can mitigate and manage our
resources,” Ambassador Fluss expressed.
Fluss also renewed Israel’s commitment to President Marcos’ agenda on
establishing a Water Department and the Philippine government’s goal of attaining
effective water governance and water security.
He also strengthened his commitment to Israel’s knowledge sharing about water
resources management and aspired that the event was a jumpstart to one of the
many future discussions they will be having.
Dr. Yael Storz Peretz and Adviser Avi Slonim from Israel Water Authority were
invited by Israel to share their knowledge and experience in water resources
management with the Committee.
Topics discussed were water vis-a-vis climate change and policies, structure, and
best practices in Israel that shaped their current water sector.
Around 70 participants joined the online session including representatives who are
part of the Committee, as well as technical experts from the government such as
DENR, ERDB, NWRB, FMB, MBCO, among others.
Meanwhile, Rep. Chatto said he is committed to President Bongbong Marcos’
agenda on establishing a Water Department and the Philippine government’s goal of
attaining effective water governance and water security while strengthening efforts to
open discussions on mitigation and management of water resources.
Chatto noted the conversation was relevant and timely considering that there are
legislative proposals on the creation of Department of Water Resources that is
similar to the centralized Israeli water authority.
In March, Marcos signed an executive order creating the Water Resource
Management Office pending the passage of the Department of Water Resources.
The discussions emphasized the importance of research and data to arrive at policy
decisions that integrate design urban development and climate change in water
system improvements and enhancing disaster management.
It can be recalled that Fluss paid a courtesy visit with Chatto at his office in early
March with initial discussions on knowledge and technology sharing in climate
change and agriculture.