The World Bank through the Department of Finance (DOF) recently conducted a seminar-workshop to present measures and initiatives in support of water sector reforms being pushed by the Arroyo administration under Executive Order No. 279 which calls for the graduation of the country's bigger credit-worthy water districts from the assistance program of the government through the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) to enable them to tap the capital market for future major improvement and expansion projects. EO 279 also calls for LWUA to concentrate its financial, technical and institutional development assistance program to the so-called pre-and semi-credit worthy water districts.The World Bank has expressed willingness to provide loan assistance to help effect these reforms. Shown in photo are World Bank's Mario Suardi, DOF Undersecretary Jeremias N. Paul and LWUA acting Senior Deputy Administrator Daniel I. Landingin leading the participants which included officials from LWUA and water districts and local as well as foreign financial and technical experts.
c June 26, 2008