MAJOR PROJECTS/ACTIVITIES OF NWRB:

1. JICA-Assisted Study on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) for Poverty Alleviation and Economic Development in the Pampanga River Basin in coordination with the different national and local stakeholders. This activity is consistent with the strategy identified in the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) 2004-2010 which is the adoption of IWRM in a river basin approach. This study is anchored with the National IWRM Plan Framework formulated in 2006 and will be implemented for two years with continuing collaboration and consultation with the different stakeholders in the basin comprising the provinces of Pampanga, Bulacan, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija.

2. Review of the Water Code of the Philippines for Possible Amendments – This is in collaboration with NAST/DOST and funding from UNEP. The objective is to review the Philippine Water Code for its possible amendments. For a participatory process, an inter-agency technical working group was created to review the Code and prepare the proposed amendments. A national consultation was conducted whereby the proposed amendments were presented to stakeholders for comments and recommendations. Since this is only an initial activity, additional funding support is still needed.

3. Strengthening of Water Sector Regulation –This project is a Technical Assistance grant funded by the USAID that aimed to strengthen regulatory processes and mechanisms to improve water service provision. The expected outputs are: (a) Sustainable financing plan for NWRB; (b) Performance benchmarking; (c) Training package for performance-based contracting; (d) Water District tariff review; (e) Development of an Operations Manual for outsourcing asset valuation and the training on its implementation.

4. MDGF-1919: Enhancing Access to and Provision of Water Services with the Active Participation of the Poor. This project is a UN/Spanish Grant and is a Joint Programme under the Democratic Economic Governance window of the MDGF with NWRB as the major partner of NEDA relative to the NWRB Economic Regulatory function. Specifically, the outputs on Tariff Setting methodology adjusted for small scale water service providers; and DILG outputs on capacities at the local level strengthened, localized customer service code based on the framework for service delivery developed and adopted, and advocacy and awareness raising of LGUs, WSPs and the community. The project implementation period is 2009-2012.