LWUA tops lending firms

MANILA, Philippines — The Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) is in negotiations with financial lending institutions to fund water development and expansion projects in the countryside.

“The goal is to get funding other than what the national government can provide, which is not enouugh to decongest the huge backlog of water projects in the provinces,” LWUA administrator Guiling ‘Gene’ Mamondiong said.

He said the agency has been soliciting funds from both private and public organizations – local and foreign. “We are appealing to other like-minded groups and individuals to join us in assisting water-deprive areas across the country,” Mamondiong said.

“We are open for more needed funds from other sources who are willing to lend a hand in nation building.”

Records show that to date, only 532 water districts are operational nationwide in a country with 81 provinces, 129 provincial cities, 1487 municipalities – excluding the 16 cities and one municipality in Metro Manila.

Aside from water expansion projects, Mamondiong said LWUA has also been looking for new funding to finance sanitation development to go hand in hand with water development.

“Water may be crucial to life, but so is sanitation, which is vital to good health,” the LWUA chied explained, citing water-borne diseases like diarrhea and typhoid fever that pose a threat, especially to children.

He also stated that, as mandated by the Supreme Court’s 2008 mandamus, water districts surrounding Manila Bay will ramp up cleanup efforts with the assistance of local government units.

Mamondiong said the funding infusion would be used for all water districts in need, with LWUA providing the technical and managerial assistance to oversee their successful operation.

Our goal is to double or even triple the number of water districts and beneficiaries in line with President Duterte’s marching orders to provide clean and safe water to every Filipino,” Mamondiong said.