World Bank OKs $269 million water, sanitation project

MANILA, Philippines — The World Bank has approved a $268.62-million project aimed at expanding access to safe water and sanitation in island provinces in the Philippines.

In a statement, the World Bank said it would provide $250.87 million in financing for the Philippines Accelerated Water and Sanitation Project in Selected Areas (AWSPSA), which has a total project cost of $268.62 million.

To be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of the Interior and Local Government in Bohol, Siargao and Jolo, the project is expected to create 8,700 jobs within five years of completion, or around 46,500 jobs over 25 years, through construction work.

The three islands were selected using a framework that considered poverty and water access gaps, vulnerability to climate hazards such as droughts and floods and project readiness, including local government support.

AWSPSA is the first comprehensive project in the country to cover the entire water and sanitation value chain, from water source development to sanitation.

It aims to expand access to safe and reliable water and improve the performance of local service providers through investments in climate-resilient infrastructure, the promotion of water, sanitation and hygiene practices and stronger institutional capacity and governance.

The project will also foster collaboration between the national and local governments to help achieve the country’s water system targets and Sustainable Development Goal 6, which calls for clean water and sanitation for all.

Beyond providing access to safe water and sanitation, the project is expected to benefit the tourism, education and health care sectors.

“This project tackles the core drivers of water insecurity and service gaps – climate vulnerability, operational inefficiencies and financing constraints – while prioritizing the needs and voices of women, youth and vulnerable communities,” said Zafer Mustafaoglu, division director of the World Bank for the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei.

“By strengthening institutions and mobilizing private participation, it will help deliver reliable, safe services and support sustainable economic and tourism growth for island communities,” he added.

The project is the first phase of the broader Multi-Phase Programmatic Approach on Water Security and Resilience in the East Asia and Pacific Region.

It reflects the World Bank’s long-term commitment to building water-secure and climate-resilient communities across the region.

• Latest
• Trending