JICA, NEDA inch forward to PH implementation of integrated water resources management

The 3rd Public Consultation Meeting for Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) was held on April 11, 2025 in Quezon City, discussing solutions for the challenges faced by IWRM-related projects and the ways forward of the Philippine government towards practical IWRM implementation.

The meeting brought together Japanese experts from JICA and Nippon Koei, as well as key representatives from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), National Water Resources Board (NWRB), Water Resources Management Office (WRMO), and line agencies for IWRM in central governments and model water resources regions (WRRs).

The JICA Advisory Team highlighted the major outputs of the IWRM advisory services during the series of expert dispatches, such as lectures, training programs, and other activities to address IWRM challenges in the Philippines. These activities are aimed towards 1) creating an enabling environment for IWRM, 2) capacitating institutions and encouraging participation, 3) improving management of instruments, and 4) increasing financial efficiency.

Once IWRM enters implementation stage, it is seen to boost capacity of government agencies in planning, coordination, and formulation of action plans for priority IWRM projects, promoting the effective and efficient water resource management in the Philippines.

As the lead counterpart agencies of the IWRM advisory services, NEDA and NWRB underscored the importance of integrating the lessons learned into regular workstreams, policy formulation, and practical implementation. While IWRM in the Philippines remains to have its challenges, JICA expressed its commitment to support the Philippine Government in future reforms and strengthening of its water policies, frameworks, and practical implementation of IWRM projects and initiatives.

Specifically, JICA Senior Representative IDE Soichiro mentioned, "With Japan's long-standing experience in the field of IWRM, we are committed to supporting the Philippines with technologie to key water-related agencies, and capacity development to help the country in the sustainable management of its water resources."

Since 2023, in support of addressing the issues in the water sector in the Philippines, JICA began dispatching Japanese experts in IWRM to provide advisory services to policymaking and implementing agenciess in the Philippine government to strengthening development towards an enhanced water resources sector.