SANREM CRSP-SEAContreras, A.2016-04-192016-04-192002Development Research News 20 (4): 1-40115-909726_IsThereStill.pdfhttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/65684This paper outlines the recommended policy agenda for water governance in the Philippines based on the various papers written under a joint research project on water management. Three main themes emerged from the papers despite differences in their approaches and focus. One, the papers are unanimous in declaring that there is a water crisis. Two, the water crisis, which is caused by a conjuncture of natural and anthropogenic events and rooted on destructive land-use practices, is aggravated by a flawed governance system characterized by a soft state. And three, while there is a need to strengthen national laws in order to address the water crisis, the need to empowerapplication/pdfen-USWater policyCommunity institutionsWater managementResource lawLaws and regulationsGovernment institutionsInstitutional capacity buildingWatershed managementLocal governanceEnvironmental lawThe PhilippinesWater crisisPolicy implementationEcosystems approachSoft stateScience-based governanceMarket-based instrumentsLgusAdvocacyWater governanceEcosystem Governance WatershedTechnical report