President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. directed the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) to conduct an immediate investigation into the lack of stable water supply in public schools,

The directive followed Marcos’ visit to public schools in Malolos and San Miguel, both in Bulacan, as part of the Department of Education’s “Brigada Eskwela” launch on Monday.

The President expressed concern over the poor state of basic utilities, particularly the lack of water supply and clean bathrooms, calling attention to the impact on student welfare and school conditions.

“Ito po ay hindi simpleng aberya. Ito ay usapin ng kalinisan, ng kalusugan at ng dignidad ng ating mga estudyante (This is not a simple inconvenience. This is a matter of hygiene, of health and of the dignity of our students),” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said at the press briefing in Malacañang Tuesday.

“Paano sila makakapag-aral nang maayos kung ang mismong eskwelahan ay kulang sa batayang serbisyo (How can they study properly if the schools themselves lack basic services)?” she added.

Castro said the President gave LWUA 48 hours to submit an initial report identifying the cause of the supply failures and the officials responsible, and outlining measures to restore services before the start of classes next week.

“Kaya’t malinaw ang direktiba ng Pangulo: Inaatasan ang Local Water Utilities Administration na agad magsagawa ng imbestigasyon (So the president’s directive is clear: The Local Water Utilities Administration is ordered to immediately conduct an investigation),” she said.

“Sino ang may pananagutan? At paano ito ma-ibabalik bago magbukas ang klase sa susunod na linggo (Who is responsible? And how can this be resolved before classes open next week)?”

LWUA is a government-owned and controlled corporation tasked with promoting and overseeing water systems in cities and municipalities outside Metro Manila.

It was created under Presidential Decree No. 198 or the Provincial Water Utilities Act of 1973, which also provided for the establishment of local water districts.

The Palace emphasized the urgency of the matter, reiterating that access to water and sanitation is fundamental to quality education.

“Responsibilidad nating tiyakin na may maayos na pasilidad, sapat na suporta para sa mga guro at sistemang gumagana, dahil ‘yan ang pundasyon ng isang ligtas, maayos at epektibong edukasyon (It is our responsibility to ensure that there are proper facilities, sufficient support for teachers and systems that work,l because that is the foundation of a safe, proper and effective education),” she said.

“At sa dulo, ang layunin natin ay kapayapaan ng isip para sa bawat magulang (And in the end, our goal is peace of mind for every parent).” (PNA)