The Philippines is eyeing to spend around P1 trillion from 2020 to 2023 to achieve the country’s water supply and sanitation goals, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) bared during the Water Forum 2022 on Aug. 31.
“The Philippine government estimates a total investment of more than Php 1 trillion from 2020 to 2030 to achieve the country’s water supply and sanitation targets,” said NEDA Undersecretary for Investment Programming Joseph Capuno in remarks delivered on behalf of NEDA Director-General Arsenio Balisacan.
“While we face an enormous challenge, we should also see an opportunity for us to invest in new approaches, tools, and ideas from the partnerships with local governments, national governments, and the private sector to ensure all Filipinos have access to safe, sufficient, affordable, and sustainable water supply and sanitation,” he continued.
For her part, Rebekah Eubanks, the acting mission director for USAID, acknowledged the critical role that collaboration and innovation play in ensuring access to sanitary facilities and safe drinking water.
“We look forward to continuing our support for government and private sector efforts to help the Philippines achieve a water secure future,” she said.
The event was organized by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and its Philippine partners to mark the World Water Week 2022.
The forum aims to find solutions to the country's water security problems.
USAID gathered over 200 representatives from the public and private sectors to work with the Water Alliance led by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) to develop a strategy to support the Philippine Water Supply and Sanitation Master Plan (PWSSMP) implemented by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
Working with the Water Alliance led by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), USAID brought together over 200 representatives from the public and private sectors to create a strategy to support the Philippine Water Supply and Sanitation Master Plan (PWSSMP) implemented by the NEDA
The PWSSMP serves as the country's road map for achieving by 2030 universal access to a clean, plentiful, cost-effective, and sustainable water supply.
During the event, USAID also teamed up with PDRF, Manila Water Company, and Maynilad Water Services, Inc. to launch the second round of the Philippine Water Challenge, a competition that encourages contestants to generate novel technologies and innovations to solve the country’s water security challenges.
The USAID said selected proposals will receive funding and networking support to help reduce water consumption, promote water reuse and recycling, and ensure water efficiency in times of water shortages. throughout the Philippines.