Water is an important natural resource and should be managed in a holistic and sustainable way. Today, water scarcity continues to be a major and evolving global concern affecting more than 40% of the global population as reported by the World Bank. In the Philippines, adequate water supply is essential but not assured throughout the country. The deterioration in the quality and quantity of surface and groundwater sources is a clear indication that access to clean water is becoming a problem in many urban and coastal areas. Groundwater is the common source of water in cities, municipalities, and rural areas in the country. According to the Urban Partnership Foundation, groundwater is primarily used by 60% of households, and in communities without the convenience of piped water service from municipal or city water districts, or Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) concessionaires.

In Mindanao, particularly, there is an annual increase in total demand for groundwater resources while the supply remains finite. Furthermore, Mindanao, despite being rich in its ecosystem and water resources, is continuously threatened by environmental issues such as erosion, effects of floods, and even detrimental actions of humans such as mining and logging.

In the second installment of the Water Challenge Forum, the session will focus on the state of water in the Mindanao Region. The speakers will provide updates on the initiatives to address water concerns in the region as well as provide participants with the available opportunities to explore.

With the theme "Building Partnerships to Achieve Water Security" the ECCP 2021 Water Challenge Forum Series aims to provide an avenue for discussions on collaborative efforts of the water sector stakeholders to support the Philippines with its water challenges and achieve the goal of ensuring and sustaining water resources for future generations.