Environment   Secretary Lito Atienza (right) listens intently as he is being briefed by the chief engineer of  the Pollution Control Department of Singapore’s National Environment Agency on the successful cleanup of Singapore River in a span of 10 years.  Atienza, who was tasked by President Arroyo to prioritize the rehabilitation and cleanup of the Pasig River, said that while the socioenvironmental issues facing the Pasig River are more complicated, there are important lessons to be learned from the Singapore experience, particularly on the relocation of riverbank structures, provision of sewerage facilities, dredging and riverbank development. Atienza was in Singapore last week, together with Environment  Undersecretary Demetrio Ignacio and National Water Resources Board executive director Ramon Alikpala (not in photo), to attend the Singapore International Water week and the Water Leaders Summit.   Also in photo is Atienza’s wife, Evelina (second  from right).

ENVIRONMENT Secretary Lito Atienza has invited foreign investors to invest in the country’s water sector. 

The government recently issued the guidelines to encourage more collaboration through joint-venture arrangement in the Philippines.

Atienza made the invitation to foreign investors during the Southeast Asia Business Forum held in conjunction with Singapore International Water Week and Water Leaders Summit in Singapore from June 23 to 27.

Atienza identified the areas where investment is needed, which include desalination and wastewater treatment, water-supply projects outside Metro Manila, and water-related projects such as sewerage and waste management.

 “The Philippines has abundant water supply from rainfall, of which we are only able to use 28 percent.  Thus, water scarcity is not our problem but the challenge of bringing this excess water to where it is needed, when it is needed,” Atienza said. 

The environment chief said only about 82.2 percent of Metro Manila’s population is connected through piped water, with the remaining still sourcing their water supply from private water deliveries or groundwater extraction through pumps. 

 “Desalination can be a viable alternative for major urban centers, especially if we can bring down the cost through economies of scale,” Atienza said.

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Atienza invites foreign firms to invest in RP water sector

ENVIRONMENT Secretary Lito Atienza has invited foreign investors to invest in the country’s water sector.

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