Investing in water and sanitation access is creating improvements to livelihood, environmental health, and service provision. However, reports released by the United Nations Development Group on 17 January 2007 inform the public about the devastating situation of our water resources that is now affecting the entire population’s access to safe drinking water and sanitation.
The United Nations released a press statement exposing the fact that Asia is home to 71% of the total number of people in the world without access to improved sanitation and 58% of those without access to safe water (2005). As of 2002 based on the MDG target No. 10, the UNICEF reports that 4 out of 10 people in the world don't have access even to a simple latrine, 2 in 10 have no source of safe drinking water, and more than 3 million children die every year caused by waterborne diseases. (Witoelar)
Access to safe water is a fundamental human need and, therefore, a basic human right. This is the very nature why there is a need to revisit materials pertaining to the water governance of countries. This paper will focus on the political economy of water governance in Southeast Asia and South Africa.
Table of Contents
I. Background
II. Problematique
III. The Politics of Water Governance: Addressing Legitimacy, Public Trust and Credibility
A. Legitimacy and Transparency
B. Public Trust and Accountability
C. Credibility and Participatory Decision-Making
IV. The Economics of Water Governance: Water as an Economic Good
V. Southeast Asian Involvements
VI. Water Governance in the Philippines
Legal Framework of Water Privatization in the Philippines
VII. Water Governance in South Africa
VIII. Analysis
IX. Recommendations
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the political economy of water governance in Southeast Asia and South Africa, arguing that the global water crisis is fundamentally a crisis of institutional governance rather than a simple lack of resources. It explores the tensions between viewing water as a public human right versus an economic commodity, and evaluates how privatization and local management structures impact equitable access.
- The role of legitimacy, public trust, and credibility in water institutions.
- The socio-economic implications of treating water as an economic good.
- Challenges in regional water governance, specifically within the Philippines and South Africa.
- The functionality and limitations of River Basin Organizations (RBOs).
- Policy recommendations for sustainable and equitable water resource allocation.
Excerpt from the Book
Legal Framework of Water Privatization in the Philippines
Water privatization in the Philippines traces its roots to the administration of Ferdinand Marcos when he released the presidential decree 2029 stipulating that government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCC) will be privatized by virtue of PD 2023. This was carried on by the Aquino administration when the promulgation of RA 6957 or the BOT law was approved. This law warrants “a contractual arrangement whereby a contractor undertakes the construction, including financing, of a given infrastructure facility, and the operation and maintenance thereof.”
The Ramos administration was no different in arresting the issues of water crisis in 1990s. In fact, he used that national water crisis as justification for continuing the privatization of national water institutions. The National Water Crisis Act of 1995 made the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) a privately-owned corporation. This act was also a response to the pressures posed by international financial institutions. There were several executions of laws and orders up until the time of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo when she signed the EO 279 stipulating that reforms be instituted in financing policies for local water utilities by rationalizing operations of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA). This eventually strengthened water privatization in the country by commercializing the delivery of water services by handing it over to the private sector.
Summary of Chapters
I. Background: Provides a global context for water scarcity, defining water governance as a set of social controls and institutional actions regarding water allocation.
II. Problematique: Explores how unequal access to water resources stems from institutional power dynamics and the lack of legitimacy, public trust, and credibility.
III. The Politics of Water Governance: Addressing Legitimacy, Public Trust and Credibility: Analyzes how transparency, accountability, and participatory decision-making are essential for water institutions to effectively serve the public interest.
IV. The Economics of Water Governance: Water as an Economic Good: Discusses the transition of water from a common good to a priced commodity and the potential negative impacts on poor populations.
V. Southeast Asian Involvements: Reviews regional efforts in Southeast Asia to address water crises, focusing on the role of River Basin Organizations (RBOs) and institutional challenges.
VI. Water Governance in the Philippines: Examines the impact of privatization on water accessibility and costs in the Philippines, detailing specific historical legal frameworks and current controversies.
VII. Water Governance in South Africa: Contrasts state-level water challenges with traditional local community management structures, emphasizing the need for effective conflict resolution.
VIII. Analysis: Synthesizes findings to conclude that water crises result from a disjuncture of power between local and national institutions rather than resource depletion alone.
IX. Recommendations: Proposes conditions for effective water governance, emphasizing clear regulatory rules, credible appointments, and inclusive participatory dialogues.
Keywords
Water Governance, Water Crisis, Privatization, Southeast Asia, South Africa, Public Trust, Legitimacy, Credibility, Human Rights, River Basin Organization, Sustainable Development, Institutional Reform, Water Policy, Economic Good, Resource Allocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper explores the political economy of water governance, investigating why access to safe water remains a struggle despite abundant global resources, specifically focusing on Southeast Asia and South Africa.
What are the primary thematic areas?
Key themes include institutional legitimacy, the socio-economic impacts of water privatization, the role of traditional vs. state governance, and the effectiveness of River Basin Organizations.
What is the central research goal?
The goal is to demonstrate that the "water crisis" is primarily a governance crisis, advocating for policies that treat water as a public good rather than solely an economic commodity.
Which scientific methods were applied?
The author uses a qualitative, comparative approach, analyzing policy frameworks, regional dialogues, and specific case studies from the Philippines and South Africa to identify institutional strengths and failures.
What does the main body address?
It covers theoretical definitions of water governance, the economic theory of water as a commodity, regional institutional analysis in Southeast Asia, and detailed case studies of water privatization and local community management.
What keywords characterize the work?
The work is defined by terms such as water governance, political economy, institutional accountability, privatization, and public human rights.
How does the Philippines case study illustrate the problems of privatization?
The study shows that privatization led to significant price hikes and failed to improve service for the poor, often prioritizing profit over the fundamental human right to access water.
What insight is gained from the South African case studies?
The case studies highlight that while traditional leadership can provide effective local management, there is a crucial need for state intervention and legal support to resolve cross-community conflicts over shared water resources.
- Quote paper
- Master of Arts in Social and Development Studies Maria Victoria Dariano (Author), 2016, The Political Economy of Water Governance. Exploring the Water Situation in Southeast Asia and South Africa, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/339078
