Updates on the Implementation of the ASEAN Strategic Plan of Action on Water Resources Management DR. SEVILLO D. DAVID, Jr. Executive Director National Water Resources Board Philippines 15 th Meeting AWGWRM 6-7 August Bali, Indonesia

Agenda 6.7 Exchanging Information and Creating Awareness in a Structured Basis Between Peak Bodies

Background The project is one of the ten project concepts in the ASEAN Strategic Plan of Action (ASPA) on water resources management formulated in 2005 Taking off from the ADB study on National Water Sector Apex Bodies in different countries and for SEA conducted in 2003, the Philippines initiated the dissemination of a questionnaire patterned from the UN Water Survey to all ASEAN Member States regarding the status of implementation of Water Peak Bodies and IWRM.

In order to meet the objectives set for the project, a workshop is necessary. Hence, the Philippines through NWRB seeks for funding support to carry out the said workshop and hire an expert/consultant to provide guidance in carrying the analysis of implementation of agencies as peak bodies including the status of implementation of IWRM.

Objective The project objective is to create awareness on key water resources management problems and exchange information about generic solutions with NGOs and peak industry bodies and associations with interest in water management issues throughout ASEAN. Duration: 4 months

Expected Output A pooled information resource through records of methodological evaluation, data analysis, and interpretation of data.  Identification of key government agencies, NGOs and industry bodies with an interest in water management issues (consultant in conjunction with the ASEAN Secretariat);  Analysis of the responses of AMS for the questionnaire disseminated entitled: Status of implementation of water peak bodies and IWRM and gather other information;

Cont...  Preparation of workshop design and other pre workshop activities;  Conduct of an initial workshop guided by the consultant to define core water resource issues that would benefit from such programme, ie. the issues where sharing would be advantageous (some of these have been identified in the “State of Water Resources Management in ASEAN report;

Cont... An improved and sustained interpersonal network between ASEAN water managers.  Develop a communication plan associated with the outcomes of each forum (the consultant and ASEAN partners). The consultant will provide an initial draft for review by ASEAN partners.

Cont... Programmes on key water resource issues e.g. water quality etc. which have common generic approach.  Preparation of forum design and agenda/programme with indicative budget on the conduct of three forums per year covering the most significant water resource issues in the ASEAN region. (An initial list can be drawn up from the Strategic Plan of Action and updated based on the result of workshop)

Status The proposal received the endorsement from Sectoral Committee (AWGWRM and ASOEN) and undergone ASEAN Project Approval process in July The Philippines submitted the proposal to Asian Development Bank (ADB) on August 5, To date, after some follow-ups no response was received from ADB.

Recommendations Request to endorse the project proposal to other donors for funding consideration e.g. ASEAN Plus Three (APT)- ASEAN-China, ASEAN-Japan and ASEAN-Korea Centres under “ Strengthening Cooperation on Sharing Information on Water Resources Management”, etc.

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