(DC file photo)
The Department of Finance (DoF) announced that it has secured €212.7 million (roughly ₱14.98 billion) worth of financing from the World Bank (WB)’s International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (WB-IBRD) to improve water security, supply and sanitation in underserved areas in the Philippines.
According to finance secretary Frederick Go, the WB financing will support the Accelerated Water and Sanitation Project in Selected Areas (AWSPSA) which will be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Go explained that AWSPSA aims to address water security and disinfection challenges in poor and underserved areas across the archipelago and also improve the efficiency of water supply and sanitation (WSS) services to support economic growth and mitigate environmental risks from water scarcity.
“The project will include the construction of a bulk water supply system, septage treatment plant, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in the islands of Bohol, Siargao and Sulu,” he cited in particular.
The AWSPSA constitutes Phase 1 of the WB-IBRD’s Multiphase Programmatic Approach (MPA) Water Security and Resilience in East Asia & Pacific Program. The MPA Program is designed to support sustained investments that increase water security and enhance resilience to water-related climate risks, providing a programmatic framework for addressing the Philippines’ evolving water and sanitation needs.
“The financing comes at an opportune time and provides a significant boost to strengthen our efforts to improve water security and cleanliness. We thank the World Bank-IBRD for its continued partnership with the Philippines as we pursue reforms to deliver more reliable services to our people,” the finance chief noted.
” This financing agreement reinforces the Marcos Jr. administration’s commitment to strengthen water security, improve access to clean water, upgrade and expand water infrastructure, and provide financing for WSS projects as outlined in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028,” he added.
Accordingly, the WB monetary assistance will likewise support the Marcos administration’s action plan to mitigate impacts of the anticipated super El Niño.
