The government is allocating nearly P1 billon to support water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) projects across the Philippines.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman approved the special allotment release order and notices of cash allocation amounting to around P1 billion chargeable against the Local Government Support Fund – Support and Assistance Fund to Participatory Budgeting (LGSF-SAFPB) under the FY 2024 General Appropriations Act or Republic Act No. 11975.
The fund intends to support the construction, expansion and upgrading of WaSH projects identified through local participatory budgeting process.
It aims to accelerate access safe and resilient water supply and sanitation services in lagging municipalities, in partnership with local civil society organizations (CSOs).
“By supporting the implementation of priority projects of LGUs, we invest in the growth and well-being of our local communities. It’s our commitment to progress and prosperity,” Pangandaman said.
“And as we release the funds to empower our local communities, we echo the vision of Bagong Pilipinas—a rallying cry for progress, resilience, and a brighter future espoused by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,” she said.
The program covers 75 beneficiary municipal local government units (MLGUs) nationwide belonging from the 4th to 6th-income classes based on Department of Finance Order No. 23-08 dated July 29, 2008, as updated on April 27, 2016, and/or with established LGU-managed water utility and project ready.
The DILG consolidated and endorsed the list of eligible and compliant projects to the DBM for fund release in compliance with the DBM – Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 dated Feb. 21, 2024, which prescribes the guidelines and procedures in the implementation of the LGSF-SAFPB.
