To mark World Water Week 2022, the United States Agency for International Development and its Philippine partners organized Water Forum 2022 on August 31 to develop solutions for water security issues in the country.

Working with the Water Alliance led by the Philippine Business for Social Progress and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, 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 implemented by the National Economic and Development Authority.  The PWSSMP serves as the national roadmap to achieve universal access to safe, sufficient, affordable, and sustainable water supply, hygiene, and sanitation by 2030.

"The Philippine government estimates a total investment of more than P1 trillion from 2020 to 2030 to achieve the country's water supply and sanitation targets," noted 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."

USAID Acting Mission Director Rebekah Eubanks recognized the vital role of partnerships and innovation to help ensure access to safe drinking water and sanitation.  "We look forward to continuing our support for government and private sector efforts to help the Philippines achieve a water secure future," she said.

During the event, USAID also partnered 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.  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.  For more information on the Philippine Water Challenge, visit www.pdrf.org/philippine-water-challenge-year-2.

For over 60 years, USAID has partnered with local and provincial governments and the private sector to support water security goals.  To stem the tide of water scarcity and strengthen water security around the world, including in the Philippines, USAID continues its commitment to bolster foreign assistance on sustainable water security and sanitation so that Filipinos have the water they need to be healthy, prosperous, stable, and resilient.