The Philippines is seeking a P1.2-billion grant from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to reduce plastic and organic waste entering the Pasig River system by 25 percent over five years, with the proposed program targeting weaknesses in household garbage segregation, collection and waste processing.
The Department of Finance (DOF) has endorsed the proposed USD20-million assistance to the Office of the President and is seeking presidential authority to negotiate a grant agreement with the UAE government.
The funding would support the Pasig River Restoration Project, which aims to address not only waste accumulating in waterways but also the gaps in waste management practices that allow garbage to reach the river in the first place.
Unlike borrowed funds, the proposed grant would not require repayment, allowing the government to finance rehabilitation and waste management interventions without adding to public debt.
The project has five main components: waste recovery and interception; improved household segregation and collection; training and support for informal waste collectors; better waste processing and recovery facilities; and stronger enforcement against illegal dumping.
The inclusion of informal waste collectors recognizes their role in the waste recovery chain, while efforts to improve household segregation and community collection are intended to reduce the volume of garbage reaching waterways.
The proposed interventions also seek to improve the recovery and processing of recyclable materials and strengthen enforcement against practices that contribute to river pollution.
“We thank the Government of the United Arab Emirates for extending its hand in partnership with us to rehabilitate one of our country’s vital waterways,” Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go said.
“The proposed assistance would strengthen waste management efforts and help improve the quality of life of our people.”
The proposed grant has yet to be finalized. Once presidential negotiating authority is secured, the DOF will work out the terms and conditions with the UAE government in coordination with concerned Philippine agencies.
The proposed assistance would provide funding for a five-year cleanup and waste management effort, although achieving the 25-percent reduction target will depend on sustained implementation, effective coordination among local governments and communities, and improvements in waste collection and disposal beyond the river itself.
