WASHINGTON, July 31, 2026 — A new World Bank Group project approved today will increase safe and reliable access to water and sanitation in selected island provinces of the Philippines, improving water security, supporting tourism and local development, and creating more jobs.
The project, Philippines Accelerated Water and Sanitation Project in Selected Areas (AWSPSA), will expand climate-resilient water supply, sanitation, storage, distribution networks, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities in the vulnerable areas of Bohol, Siargao and Jolo, where water-access gaps and climate risks are significant.
The project is expected to generate 8,700 jobs within five years of completion, rising to around 46,500 jobs over a 25-year period. Near-term gains will come from construction activities, while longer-term benefits will flow from broader economic activity enabled by reliable access to safe water and sanitation. The project will also benefit tourists, public school students, and people in healthcare and daycare facilities through dependable, flood- and drought-resilient water and sanitation services.
- This project tackles the core drivers of water insecurity and service gaps—climate vulnerability, operational inefficiencies, and financing constraints—while prioritizing the needs and voices of women, youth, and vulnerable communities. By strengthening institutions and mobilizing private participation, it will help deliver reliable, safe services and support sustainable economic and tourism growth for island communities.Zafer MustafaoğluWorld Bank Division Director for the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei
AWSPSA is the first comprehensive project in the Philippines that spans water source development to sanitation. It aims to expand access to safe, reliable water supply and sanitation (WSS) and to improve the performance of local service providers by investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, promoting WASH practices, and strengthening institutional capacity and governance to enhance water security and resilience to climate-related risks. Additionally, it will pilot how the national and local governments can work together towards achieving the country’s targets on WSS and the Sustainable Development Goal 6.
This operation is Phase 1 of the broader Multi-Phase Programmatic Approach (MPA) on Water Security and Resilience in the East Asia and Pacific Region, reflecting the World Bank’s long-term commitment to building water-secure and climate-resilient communities across the region.
AWSPSA will be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of the Interior and Local Government. The total project cost is US$268.62 million, with World Bank financing expected to cover US$250.87 million. The remaining costs will be financed by the Government of the Philippines and private-sector equity.
Bohol, Siargao, and Jolo were selected through a rigorous prioritization framework that considered poverty and water access gaps; vulnerability to climate hazards such as droughts and floods; and project readiness, including available feasibility studies, permits, and local government support.
READ MORE: https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/07/31/wbg-support-to-help-philippines-expand-resilient-water-and-sanitation-services
