Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) Administrator Atty. Jose Moises “Joy” F. Salonga (3rd from right, seated) during a meeting with Metro Siquijor Water District officials to finalize a financial package rehabilitating the latter’s water system. In 2025, LWUA helped ensure the operations of water pumps in Siquijor, which has been suffering from extended power blackouts, by providing much-needed power generators.
The Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) has released nearly P32 billion in cumulative loans, significantly aiding local water districts across the nation to improve and expand water access in far more communities than before.
As of April 2026, LWUA’s cumulative loan releases have reached ₱31.741 billion, supporting local water districts across the country in developing new water sources, expanding distribution systems, rehabilitating aging infrastructure, and improving service reliability.
Since 2024 alone, cumulative loan releases have increased by more than ₱2.6 billion, reflecting an intensified effort to help local water districts address growing demand and modernize their facilities.
“Every local water district has the potential to do more for the communities it serves. Our role at LWUA is to provide the financing and support that help turn those opportunities into reality—whether through new water sources, expanded service coverage, or infrastructure that improves the daily lives of Filipino families,” said LWUA Administrator Atty. Jose Moises “Joy” F. Salonga.
These investments have translated into completed projects that bring water closer to households, businesses, schools, and communities. To put this into perspective: to date, 114 LWUA-financed projects have been completed nationwide, contributing to improved service delivery and long-term water security.
From source development projects that increase water availability to network expansions that reach previously underserved areas, these LWUA-backed investments provide the foundation for stronger and more resilient local water systems.
By helping local water districts access financing, complete infrastructure projects, and improve their financial sustainability, LWUA contributes directly to the administration’s and President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s goal of strengthening water security nationwide.
Financing Growth, One Water District at a Time
In an archipelago like the Philippines, despite the clear abundance of water all around, water infrastructure is hardly built overnight.
New water sources, treatment facilities, transmission lines, reservoirs, and distribution networks require years of planning and, more importantly, substantial investment. And for many local water districts, particularly those serving smaller cities and municipalities, accessing affordable financing can be one of the biggest obstacles to improve water service delivery and expand coverage.
This is where LWUA plays one of its most important yet underrated roles – financing.
For over five decades, LWUA has served not only as a regulator and technical adviser but also as a critical source of financing for water districts nationwide. Through loans, project assistance, and other financing mechanisms, the agency helps local utilities undertake infrastructure investments that would otherwise be difficult to fund on their own.
Less Water Lost, More Communities Served
The beneficiaries are substantial, if not far-reaching. Today, local water districts under LWUA’s provide water service through approximately 6.06 million service connections, reaching an estimated 24.8 million Filipinos nationwide. Behind every new connection is a Filipino family that gains more reliable access to safe water, reducing the burden of securing this essential resource, and improving quality of life.
The impact of financing can also be seen in operational improvements.
In Mindanao, where water supply has always been a challenge, 61 out of 117 local water districts improved their non-revenue water (NRW) performance as of December 2025. This means there is now less water wasted, and more water actually flowing through household pipes.
Of these, 29 reduced NRW levels to below the 20% acceptable benchmark. Nationwide, 149 water districts now maintain NRW levels of 20%or lower. These gains mean less treated water is lost through leaks, theft, or inefficiencies, allowing utilities to maximize existing resources and serve more customers without necessarily developing new water sources.
Importantly, these achievements reflect the combined efforts of local water districts and LWUA. Local utilities have invested in improving operations and implementing projects, while LWUA has provided the financing, technical support, and institutional assistance needed to make those improvements possible.
Recent reforms have further strengthened this partnership between LWUA and local water districts.
Faster Tariff Approval Requests, Faster Progress
Historically, local water districts often faced lengthy tariff approval processes that limit their ability to finance much-needed public investments. Under the current administration, LWUA significantly streamlined this process.
Under the current LWUA administration, the average processing period is now more efficient at just 32 working days—well within LWUA’s target of resolving applications within 45 days.
These reforms matter because financially sustainable water districts are better positioned to invest in infrastructure, improve service quality, and respond to future challenges. Faster approvals mean projects can move forward sooner, and communities can benefit more quickly from needed improvements.
The Southern Tagalog Association of Water Districts (STAWD), representing 76 member local water districts, formally acknowledged LWUA’s support in accelerating loan releases, facilitating infrastructure investments, and improving tariff processing.
“Your presence and commitment to strengthening the water sector have been evident in the swift approval and processing of LWUA loans, enabling our member-water districts to accelerate critical infrastructure projects and improve service delivery to the communities we serve. Your decisive action has also significantly contributed to the realization of long-awaited projects that directly benefit our concessionaires,” STAWD Secretary-General Edit Joyce Sagaral-Geba said in a May 29 letter to LWUA Administrator Salonga.
Baliwag Water District in Bulacan similarly cited LWUA’s responsiveness and assistance in helping local utilities address operational and financial challenges. These endorsements reinforce a simple but important reality: financing works best when it is paired with strong partnerships and responsive institutions.
Every completed project, every expanded service area, and every new household connection represents LWUA’s investment in public welfare.
Investments in new water sources, expanded distribution systems, and improved service reliability help ensure that more Filipinos have access to safe and dependable water services.
Through its financing programs and continuing support for local utilities, LWUA continues to provide a lifeline that enables water districts not only to grow, but to thrive.
