MANILA, Sep 25 — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of P565 million to the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) for the continued development of potable water supply systems covering the poorest provinces in the country.
The fund release—sourced from LWUA’s Regular Appropriations under the 2014 National Budget—will support efforts on water source development and the construction of pumping stations and pipe lines.
The P565 million will also cover the development of Level III water supply systems, or the actual service connection of the individual households to the water supply.
“Ensuring better access to quality health services—such as safe drinking water—is one of the keystones of our development agenda. This applies most especially to our poorest provinces, where there isn’t enough potable water to go around,” Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said.
The P565-million fund release will support the development of water supply facilities in a total of 38 water districts in 10 provinces. A water district is defined by LWUA as a local corporate entity that operates and maintains a water supply system in one or more provincial cities or municipalities.
The 10 provinces covered in the fund release are Abra, Kalinga, Masbate, Camarines Sur, Western Samar, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Zamboanga del Norte, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur.
“We have given the LWUA the go signal to develop these water systems and bring reliable and sustainable water supply services to communities in need. In the short-term, we’re after the the immediate improvement of health and sanitation conditions in these areas. Ultimately, our goal is—as always—to enhance the overall standard of living for the country’s poorest,“ he added.(Courtesy PIA/DBM)
