PHILGUARANTEE Leads Roundtable with Water.org to Drive Access to Safe Water

On December 5, 2024, Water.org, in collaboration with the Philippine Guarantee Corporation (PHILGUARANTEE), hosted a roundtable discussion at the New World Hotel Makati to address the pressing issues of water access and sanitation in the Philippines.

The event brought together important figures such as Ms. Arlene Reyes, Vice President of the Acquired Assets Management of Pag-IBIG, and BSP Assistant Governor for Strategy, Innovation and Sustainability, Pia Bernadette Roman Tayag, as well as private-sector participants including housing developers, financial institutions, and water and sanitation experts.

PHILGUARANTEE PCEO Alberto Pascual opened the discussion, emphasizing the importance of collaboration to develop sustainable and scalable solutions for water access. He also highlighted the MOU signed in September 2024 between PHILGUARANTEE and Water.org, which aims to provide credit guarantees to promote financing for water and sanitation projects.

Water.org’s Regional Director, Gay Santos, stressed the essential role of water, noting, “Water to the house is like blood that flows in our body,” underscoring the fundamental need for clean water in every home. During the session, participants discussed possible innovative solutions like rainwater harvesting to supplement water supplies in underserved areas. They also explored the financial challenges of providing water and sanitation, emphasizing the role of microloans and affordable financing in bridging the gap.

The roundtable strengthened the importance of a unified approach and policy support to achieve universal access to clean water. Through collective efforts, PHILGUARANTEE, Water.org, and essential contributors aim to strengthen efforts to ensure clean water for all Filipinos, contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6 and improving public health and productivity nationwide.

From: Strategy Management and Communications Department