Greenpeace activists stage a ‘die-in’ dramatization of their call for government to improve the management of fresh water resources in front of the DENR office in Quezon City, Friday. World Water Day will be observed on March 22. (Photo by CANDICE REYES)

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has issued Proclamation No. 2023 declaring March 22 to 28 as “Clean Water and Energy Week for a Healthy World.”

The President urged government offices and the private sector to observe the weeklong event by conserving energy and water resources as the country endures the El Niño dry weather phenomenon.

The water and energy week, which begins this year, coincides with the International Year of Biodiversity. The proclamation was signed by the President last March 15.

“The country is now experiencing the impacts of climate change, particularly a water crisis that threatens agricultural productivity, and an energy crisis affecting hydro-powered energy resources that leads to power outages,” the proclamation states.

“There is a need to conserve water, a scarce resource which sustains life on Earth, because our quality of life and the health of our ecosystems, man’s life-support systems, depends on water, which is now being threatened by climate change, over-extraction, pollution and wasteful use,” it added.

Under the proclamation, the President asked all government agencies, including government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), to link up with the private sector in holding relevant activities related to water and energy conservation.

Mrs. Arroyo also enjoined all government offices to participate in the World Wildlife Fund’s Earth Hour on March 27 by voluntarily switching off lights for one hour to save power.

“The fight against climate change requires the urgent and thoughtful participation of all citizens, as well as the collective action of private and public sectors at all levels,” the order also states.