The Israeli government has offered the Philippines support in the areas of agriculture and water management as the country braces for the impact of El Niño, which may last until early next year, according to the Philippine presidential office (Malacañang)
During a meeting at Malacañang Palace, Israeli foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, told President Marcos that his country could collaborate on water management, noting Israel’s vast experience in this sector.
“I think that we can work together on the segment of agriculture. I just let you know that our land, 60% of our land is desert. But although 60% of our land is desert, we were able to provide all our water needs,” Cohen said.
“And I think that we can work together, and let’s say that less import, more export for the Philippines,” he said.
Israel, facing a water scarcity of its own, has implemented extensive water reuse practices, according to reports. In a recent development, an Israeli expert may be visiting the Philippines to offer guidance on water management, as suggested by Cohen. Marcos, a key figure in the Philippines, expressed the nation's interest in adopting best practices from Israel and Singapore.
He particularly emphasised the importance of agricultural development and commended Israel's advancements in this field. As the President concurrently heads the Department of Agriculture, he highlighted the significance of agriculture in the overall economy.
Marcos welcomed offers of assistance and partnership from Israel. To mitigate potential effects of the prolonged dry spell on the agricultural sector, the Marcos administration has taken measures to address the situation. Notably, the creation of a Water Resource Management Office under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources was approved by the chief executive in February, aiming to effectively manage the country's water resources and tackle existing environmental challenges.
To read more about the Philippines' President's efforts in food security, click here.
