A joint memorandum circular (JMC) for the establishment and operation of Public Utilities for Local Water Supply and Sanitation Services (PU-LWSSS) was signed Friday, as part of the Marcos administration’s efforts to improve water services in the country.

Key signatories of the JMC include Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Environment Secretary Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr., National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, and Department of Finance-Bureau of Local Government Finance director Brenda Miranda.

The signing ceremony was held at the EDSA Shangri-La in Manila.

The JMC provides guidelines for Local Government Units (LGUs) to create financially viable and self-sustaining water and sanitation utilities, improving the efficiency and reliability of LGU-operated systems.

The JMC also supports the objectives of the Philippine Water Supply and Sanitation Master Plan (PWSSMP) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Water Resources Management Office’s Integrated Water Resources Master Plan, focusing on the clustering of LGU-operated water systems to promote economies of scale and enhance financial sustainability.

Pangandaman said the JMC would enable Filipinos to have better and universal access to clean water and sanitation.

“We understand that the provision of a clean water supply and effective sanitation services is paramount to the health, dignity, and prosperity of our communities. They are more than just a matter of comfort and convenience; they are fundamental basic human rights,” she said.

She also reaffirmed the DBM’s unified commitment with concerned agencies, LGUs, and partner stakeholders to achieve one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which is to ensure universal access to safe water supply and sanitation services by 2030.

The commitment is aligned with the PWSSMP and the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.

Pangandaman also emphasized the importance of the Mandanas-Garcia ruling in increasing funding through the Growth and Equity Fund, which will support viable water supply projects for LGUs.

She, likewise, mentioned the allocation of over PHP17 billion for safe water supply and sanitation projects, as well as the convergence budgeting initiative with the NEDA which provides a strategic framework for water resource management.

She renewed the DBM’s commitment to providing fiscal and technical support for the establishment of local economic enterprises for water supply and sanitation.

“As I would always emphasize, sustainability is key to our Agenda for Prosperity. This is our promise to the Filipino people, especially the future generations,” Pangandaman said.

In line with the Open Government Partnership advocacy, Pangandaman cited the allocation of PHP1 billion budget under the Local Government Support Fund to provide safe water to underserved communities, in coordination with civil society organizations. (PNA)