Every March 22, the World Water Day is celebrated internationally to focus on the importance of freshwater in our everyday life.

This year’s theme focuses on: “Groundwater: Making the Invisible, Visible” which draws the attention of the public on the groundwater resources that are important to most of the middle class communities, especially in our country with its vital role in agriculture, industry and climate change adaptation.

Groundwater is water found underground in aquifers, which are geological formations of rocks, sands and gravels that hold substantial quantities of water. Groundwater feeds springs, rivers, lakes and wetlands, and seeps into the oceans. It can be extracted to the surface by pumps and wells.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) conducts a kick-off activity for the World Water Day Celebration with the two-day National River Basin Summit on March 15-16, 2022.

The Summit aims to enhance the participants’ knowledge on water management through sharing of ideas, learning experiences and best practices and will allow participants’ exposure to new technologies related to river basin management. Hosted by the River Basin Control Office, the Summit also promote integrated river basin management as an approach to climate change adaption and mitigation, and will identify policy and information gaps for an enhanced river basin management. 

The two-day event discussed topics on groundwater management, river basin management and governance, water security and conservation, and ecosystem-based adaptation approach.

World Water Day 2022 celebrates safe water awareness in taking action to global water crisis. It supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: Water and Sanitation for all by 2030.