P13.33 M funds allocated to 75 LGUs for safe, clean water sources
By Chito Chavez

A total of P13.33 million will be given to 75 local government units (LGUs) nationwide for the improvement of their water supply and sanitation system in their respective localities, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur’’ Abalos Jr. explained that the allocation will come from the Support and Assistance Fund to Participatory Budgeting (SAFPB) Program, as mandated by Republic Act (RA) 11975 otherwise known as “The General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2024.’’
“SAFPB is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at strengthening the partnership and collaboration between LGUs and civil society organizations (CSOs),’’ the DILG noted.
During the recent AFPB event in Cebu City, Abalos reminded the LGUs to be accountable and make sure that the fund will only be used on its intended purpose of improving their water sources and sanitation facilities.
The DILG stated that the program covers projects ranging from the construction, expansion, and rehabilitation of Level III water supply systems or existing sanitary toilets and hygiene facilities for public places.
Despite the recent improvements in water and sanitation, Abalos pointed out that more localities still need crucial assistance from the government, especially those without an identified water source and those that are geographically isolated.
The DILG chief added that the program is in compliance with the President’s call of increasing local access to reliable and clean sources of water.
The program is also in line with the Philippines’ Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP), which was institutionalized by the President through Executive Order No. 31 dated June 20, 2023.
“We shall comply with this directive of the President. Lalo na ngayon na may El Niño, we must not just govern but also foster a culture of genuine engagement so that workable solutions could flow from there,” Abalos emphasized.
Abalos also called for the support of the LGUs towards the department’s other initiatives, such as averting rising HIV-AIDS cases among the youth, the resurging problem of tuberculosis, and the urgent need to solve growth stunting brought by malnutrition.
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman also stressed that the program aims to “accelerate access to safely-managed and resilient water and sanitation services in lagging municipalities nationwide."