In Photo (L-R): CRC-ILD’s Project Director Mir Tillah, ILD Water Security and Climate Adaptation Team Lead Joanne Dulce, RWA CEO Ella Lazarte, together with other members of the CRC-ILD Core Team, Ms. Carla Grino, Mr. Caloi Enriquez, and Mr. Kevin Benico
Ortigas, Pasig – The CRC Institute for Local Development (CRC-ILD) met last October 23 with Ella Lazarte, CEO of the Resilient Water Accelerator (RWA), to explore potential collaboration on strengthening water resilience in the Philippines.
RWA is a multi-sector global partnership designed to mobilize public, private, and commercial financing for water security and climate resilience in water-stressed, climate-vulnerable regions. RWA catalyses capital by transforming investment landscapes and scaling financing solutions for climate-resilient water security, with an aim of improving the resilience of 50 million people in water-stressed areas by 2030. RWA’s initiatives align with CRC-ILD’s work in supporting local governments and other stakeholders in developing sustainable, evidence-based solutions to advance water security and support local development.
During the meeting, CRC-ILD shared its initiatives in the water sector, highlighting the Institute’s growing portfolio of research, policy engagement, and stakeholder collaboration. These include its study with Water.org on the water and sanitation loan portfolios of government financial institutions; the well-attended Forum on Local Governance and Development focusing on local solutions for long-term water security; and forthcoming training programs.
CRC-ILD also shared its collaboration with the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development (SCAD) to advance regional water security in the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Corridor. This initiative will focus on four key areas: evidence-based regional water security planning; developing and mobilizing water investments; sustainable water resource management; and water demand management and efficiency.
RWA affirmed the importance and urgency of these efforts in light of the region’s planned economic and industrial developments, which are expected to increase demand for water resources. Strengthening water security will be essential to supporting long-term economic growth while ensuring that communities, businesses, and other water users have access to sufficient and dependable water supplies.
Building on their shared priorities, CRC-ILD and RWA expressed their intention to collaborate on joint water security projects, including initiatives that engage the private sector in developing and advancing practical solutions. The organizations are also exploring plans to co-host a water forum that will bring together relevant stakeholders to discuss regional water security, identify opportunities for collaboration, and promote potential investments in sustainable water solutions.
The prospective partnership reinforces CRC-ILD’s commitment to advancing water security by fostering cross-sector collaboration to address water challenges and promote resilient, inclusive, and sustainable local development.
CRC-ILD and RWA discuss potential areas for collaboration on advancing water security and water resilience in the Philippines
