BOHOL LGUs are exploring sustainable water management options to improve service efficiency and ensure reliable, affordable potable water for households.
The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh), through the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO), convened local government officials and project partners for a technical assistance briefing on management options and tariff models for areas covered by the World Bank-backed Accelerated Water and Sanitation Project in Selected Areas (AWSPSA) on November 12, 2026, at the PPDO Hall.
Gov. Aris Aumentado presided over the meeting, with Provincial Administrator Asteria Caberte and PPDO Head Atty. John Titus Vistal, and Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Handel Lagunay, and representatives from participating municipalities.
World Bank Philippines Senior Water Supply and Sanitation Specialist Ma. Fiorella Fabella presented the results of the study requested during the previous meeting on August 30, 2026.
Fabella provided updates on the project’s implementation, noting that the loan agreement was signed on October 6, 2026, with its effectivity pending the Department of Justice’s legal opinion.
Former Department of Tourism Undersecretary and current World Bank Consultant Rolando Cañizal presented the AWSPSA, which aims to sustain water services for communities through more efficient water production and improved delivery systems.
Meanwhile, Department of the Interior and Local Government–Office of Project Development Services Project Manager Fe Criscilla Banluta emphasized the need for dedicated units to manage sanitation and water operations, supported by technical experts who can help Local Government Units (LGUs) develop their local water enterprises.
The discussions covered institutional management arrangements, tariff structures, and the possibility of clustering neighboring LGUs to improve operational efficiency and share project costs based on agreed equity arrangements.
Officials also highlighted the need for gradual water service development and capacity-building support for local governments.
Mayors Edgardo Arcay of Panglao, Juan Manuel Lim of Corella, Raymond Jala of Loboc, and Justiniana Ellorimo of Sikatuna, along with representatives from Tagbilaran City, Baclayon, and Albur, expressed their anticipation for the project.
Through coordinated planning and strengthened local water institutions, the initiative advances the Capitol’s Strategic Governance Roadmap 2028 by promoting efficient, financially sustainable water systems that ensure dependable, affordable, and continuous water services across Bohol, a UNESCO Global Geopark. (PIMO/JFP)
