Asian Development Bank (ADB)’s Pilot Project to Improve Environmental Conditions of Estero de Paco in the Philippines put forward another approach to better the river’s water quality standards. This report discusses in detail the different approach taken by ADB, examines communication challenges and the approaches used by other stakeholders, and shares communication lessons.

To support the infrastructure component of the Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig Project in the Philippines, communication activities of various stakeholders were funded by Asian Development Bank. Community-based and multimedia information channels were used by ABS-CBN Foundation and Manila Water to raise awareness on wastewater disposal and management, solid waste management, desludging of septic tanks, and the state of the Pasig River.

Clean-up and dredging activities along Manila’s Pasig River in the Philippines and expensive schemes to aerate river water have proved unsustainable, and created new problems such as sludge build-up. The different approach piloted by Asian Development Bank focuses on the 3-kilometer Estero de Paco used sustainable technology and behavior change communication activities to intercept pollutants before they get to the river.

This presentation discusses advocacy strategies used by Manila Water Company in the Philippines to engage stakeholders and sustain community partnerships. It also shares the key challenges encountered on land acquisition and stakeholder support, and how these were met with concrete solutions.

This presentation shares the results on a quantitative impact evaluation (QIE) of a relevant water and sanitation intervention performed in Metro Manila in the Philippines. Findings of the QIE contributed evidence on how the success or failure to meet project outputs can impact on the lives of its recipients.

This presentation shares Manila Water’s story, highlighting how a public-private partnership model was implemented to meet challenges on water availability in the Philippines. It shares examples of the company’s sustainability practices across the value chain. The presentation also discusses initiatives championing sustainability beyond the East Zone of Metro Manila.

To meet the sanitation challenges in Manila, Manila Water in the Philippines rolled out a number of septage management programs and sanitation plans. The company also introduced proactive technical solutions, pushed for structural transformation, and conducted wastewater advocacy.