Announcement of Philippines Expands Rural Population’s Access to Safe Water, Sanitation Facilities on July 2, 1990

IOR IMMI DIAII RELFASE World Bank 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A.* Telephone: (202) 477-1234 BANK NEWS RELEASE NO. 90/110 Contact: Pastor Sison (202) 458-0344 Leandro V. Coronel (202) 458-1354 PHILIPPINES EXPANDS RURAL POPULATION'S ACCESS TO SAFE WATER, SANITATION FACILITIES WASHINGTON, July 2, 1990 -- Rural residents in the Philippines will gain increased access to safe water and sanitation facilities through a project that is being supported by an $85 million World Bank loan. The project is designed to expand water-supply facilities to benefit about 3 million residents in the rural areas of 37 provinces in Luzon, the Philippines' main island group, through the construction of wells and development of natural springs by the country's Department of Public Works and Highways. Six million people nationwide will benefit from improved sanitation facilities, including the provision of family latrines, school and public toilets, and wastewater-disposal facilities. The Department of Health will carry out this component of the project. The project will include an extensive health education and community development program. Training will be provided to local staff and communities that will operate and maintain facilities to be provided under the project. Technical assistance will be provided for project implementation, preparation of provincial sector plans and future projects, and updating of the government's sector master plan. The training and community development aspects of the project will be carried out by the departments of Public Works and Highways, Health, and Local Government. Project benefits will include improved health conditions--especially among children, who often suffer from intestinal parasites--and environmental improvements. The project will also help put in place procedures and standards for implementing water and sanitation projects in the country. Women, especially those in lower-income rural households, will benefit from more accessible water supplies. The project is also designed to increase women's participation in planning, operating and maintaining water and sanitation services. The government will provide the remainder of the financing for the $132.8 million project. The World Bank loan is for 20 years, including five years' grace, with a variable interest rate, currently 7.75 percent, linked to the cost of the Bank's borrowings. It also carries an annual commitment charge of 0.25 percent on the undisbursed balance. NOTE: Money figures are expressed in U.S. dollar equivalents.