The country will play host once again to the annual international conference and exhibition on water resource management, now on its 15th year, with the staging of the meet also known as PhilWater 2007 at the Asturias Hotel in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

This was announced by Philippine Water Works Association (PWWA) president, Engr. Orlando C, Hondrade, who said that the event will run from October 2 to 5 and carry the theme, " Sustainable Water Management and Practices: Meeting Our Critical Water Challenges". PWWA will jointly sponsor and organize the affair with the Puerto Princesa City Water District.

Hondrade said Secretary Arthur C. Yap of the Department of Agriculture (DA) has been invited to be the keynote speaker with Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn serving as guest speaker in the fellowship night of the annual international water meet which is expected to again draw sizable delegations of participants from here and abroad.

During the technical session, invited resource speakers will present and discuss topics on the different aspects of water supply and resource management. Speakers include Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) chairman Proceso Domingo who will discuss " Vision and Strategies for the Philippine Water Sector"; NWRB Executive Director Ramon Alikpala, " Revision of Water Code, Water Tariff and Water Pricing"; Dr. Yolanda E. Oliveros ng DOH' " Environmental Sanitation and Health-Related Issues"; Engr. Eduardo Santos, "Water Regulatory System"; DBP Senior AVP Paul Lazaro, " Financing Water,Financing Sustainable Living"; LBP Senior VP Simeona S. Guevarra, " Financing Water, Sewerage and Sanitation Projects"; USAID/ECO-ASIA water and sanitation specialist Engr. Jay Yu Tecson," Financing Water Supply Projects: The Efficiency Improvement Program (EIP) Approach"; Jhaymart Industries President Robert Quinto, " Trends and Developments in Plastic Pipes";

Japan's Seiichiro Miyamoto at Satoshi Sakamoto, " Aseisumic Engineering and Asset Management of Sewerage Facilities"; ILaw Konsult CEO Toribio Noel L. Ilao, " Infrastructure and Asset Management"; GHD Corporate Manager Robin Povey, " Innovation, Communication, Sustainability"; Subic Bay Water Regulatory Board chair Engr. Antonio R. de Vera," Privatization with the Water Industry"; Maynilad's Engr. Maria teresita S. Rose, " Operating and Managing Septage Treatment Plant"; Manila Water director Abelardo Basilio," Manila Water NRW Reduction Story"; Pacific Data's Jojo Guingao, " Sustainable Water management Solution: AM/FM/GIS Solution from the Ground Up"; Water and Sanitation specialist Cesar E. Yniguez, " Sustainable Provisioon of Water Services Through Performance Improvement"; Edakari M. Galing of the World bank Water and sanitation Program; MV Water Meters sales manager gabi Altman, " Trends and developments in Water Meters"; Davao City Water District GM Rodora N. Gamboa, " Strategic Management of Water in Urban Areas"; Tanay Water District chair Alfredo Alfonso, " Green Water Strategy for Livelihood Development Integrated with Spring Water Distribution Systems in Mountain Barangays"; PSAE president Dr. Bernardo Tadeo, " Water Purification Using Carbonized Rice Charcoal; at Unifeld enterprises, " Trends and Developments in Water Supply System ".

Hondrade, also administrator of LWUA is the over-all organizing committee chair while Puerto Princesa City Water District board chair Antonio G. Goh serves as convention chairman.

An international product exhibition showcasing the latest in water supply, sewerage and wastewater technologies will run alongside the conference. PWWA is inviting prospective participants, sponsors at exhibitors from both here and abroad to join and support this international conference and exhibition on water resources management which the country has annually hosted since 1992 as its commitment to the International Water Association (IWA) and the global efforts to attain water security for all of the world's peoples.

Interested participants, sponsors at exhibitors may contact the PhilWater 2007 Secretariat c/o the PWWA Office through tel. nos 9207145 and 9278781 (fax) or at its email address, pwwa@info.com.ph.
c August 24 , 2007