14/10/2026
๐๐๐๐ ๐บ๐ผ๐๐ป๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐น๐ ๐บ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฒ๐ป๐ด๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐น๐ผ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ท๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐๐๐น๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐
QUEZON CITY, Philippines โ The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), through its Office of Project Development Services (OPDS), held an Early Market Engagement (EME) on October 12, 2026, to present and discuss the Consultancy Services for Component 3 of the Accelerated Water Supply and Sanitation Project for Selected Areas (AWSPSA), which focuses on institutional reforms and capacity building.
Held at the Luxent Hotel in Quezon City, the activity brought together representatives from the DILG, DPWH, the World Bank, and other interested parties to discuss the componentโs scope, procurement arrangements, and institutional requirements.
DILG Undersecretary for Operations Atty. Omar V. Romero, OPDS Director Alfonso A. Maralli, Jr., CESO IV, and World Bank Operations Manager for the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, Dandan Chen delivered messages during the activity.
In presenting Component 3, OPDS Director Alfonso A. Maralli, Jr., CESO IV, emphasized the need for a comprehensive institutional transformation process to support the long-term sustainability of local water services. He highlighted the importance of strengthening the competencies of personnel responsible for water service delivery, improving institutional capacities, particularly in operations and maintenance (O&M) and technical and systems performance, and addressing stakeholder resistance to reforms.
The activity also featured presentations on procurement and institutional arrangements by World Bank Senior Procurement Specialist Muhammad Abbass Rahimi, and the initial results of the EME survey by World Bank Senior Water Supply and Sanitation Specialist Ma. Fiorella Fabella.
During the open forum, the World Bank and OPDS addressed points for clarifications on various aspects of Component 3, including its scope, institutional arrangements, procurement process, implementation timeline, and sustainability mechanisms. The exchange also zeroed in on concerns about consultancy packages, coordination with other project components, engagement with water service providers, and the proposed systems to support project implementation.
The activity concluded with closing remarks from OPDS Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project Manager Fe Crisilla M. Banluta.
Through Component 3, the DILG aims to strengthen institutional capacities and support the long-term sustainability of water service delivery in the projectโs beneficiary areas.
