The World Bank approved Wednesday $62 million worth of funding for two projects that aim to determine policy changes regarding water pollution and wastewater management as well as environment and natural resources protection.

These undertakings, the $5-million grant for the Manila Third Sewerage Project and the $50-million loan for the National Program Support for Environment and Natural Resources Management, would be both funded through the Global Environment Facility which the Bank manages.

A separate $7-million grant was also allotted for the latter project loan.

“The approval of the grant will support the Philippines’ Clean Water Act which focuses on lessening the negative environmental impacts of water pollution in Metro Manila,” Joachim von Amsberg, country director, said in a bank statement.

Private investments are expected to come in once policies and practices in the country’s wastewater sector have been identified and implemented, in tandem with better institutional capacities of government agencies responsible for water pollution control, Amsberg added.

The grant undertaking consists of seven components that include assisting the Department of Environment and Natural Resources identify weaknesses in interagency coordination and look at potential nonconventional investments in sewerage and sanitation.

A component will also see possible big-ticket investments for suitable technology for septic treatment and disposal.

The eight-year environment and natural resources loan, meanwhile, should help the environment agency meet its “core mandates and strategic goals in managing, conserving and protecting the country’s environment and natural resources.”

“This project comes at a very opportune time for the DENR. Much needs to be done and much funds are needed to protect, conserve and manage the coastal, forest, soil, water, mineral, and biodiversity resources of the Philippines. Through this project, the efficiency and effectiveness of the department’s service delivery will greatly improve,” the bank quoted Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes as saying.

The $7-million grant, meanwhile, would be used to implement an integrated approach to watershed and wetlands management in coordination with national and local officials and people’s organizations.

“A more effective environmental management is crucial for growth in sectors such as tourism, mining and modern services.

The Philippines is home to a rich diversity of natural resources, yet a lot of these are threatened by environmental degradation and acute pollution problems,” Amsberg said.

The loan matures in 20 years and has a grace period of eight years.

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COMMUNITIES Philippines, a member of the Villar-owned Vista Land & Lifescapes, is spending P7 billion over the next two years to fund 15 property projects outside Metro Manila.

The World Bank approved Wednesday $62 million worth of funding for two projects that aim to determine policy changes regarding water pollution and wastewater management as well as environment and natural resources protection.

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