Table of Contents

Introduction
Land Classification 7
Economy 7
Labor and Employment 7
Family Income and Expenditure 9
Demography 9
Climate 11
Disaster Risks 11
Climate Change and Hydrological Hazards 11
WSS Sector Status
Access to Safe Water 15
Drinking Water 15
Access to Sanitation 17
Water Resources
Surface Water 19
Mindanao River Basin 19
Buayan-Malungon River Basin 19
Groundwater 21
Water Use 21
Water Availability, Water Stress and Water Scarcity 21
Demand
Population Projection 22
Water Supply and Demand 22
Water Demand vs. Water Resources Potential 22
WSS Infrastructure
Water Supply Service Providers 25
Water Districts 25
LGU-Led Water Utilities 25
Private Utilities/Others 25
Sanitation
Open Defecation 27
Wastewater and Domestic Biological Oxygen Demand 27
Water Quality 31
Waterborne Diseases 31
WSS Sector Gaps
Issues, Constraints, and Challenges 32
Regional Vision 34
Strategic Framework 34
Access Targets for Water and Sanitation 36
Strategic Interventions 38
Physical Interventions 39
Nonphysical interventions 39
Addressing the Gaps
Water Supply Investment Requirements 41
Physical Investments 41
Nonphysical Investments 41
Sanitation Investment Requirement 43
Physical Interventions 43
Basic Sanitation Program 43
Septage Management Program 43
Sewerage Program 43
Nonphysical Interventions 43
Proposed Projects and Programs 44
Identified Priority Projects (2019-2020) 47
Appendix
Appendix A: Provincial and HUC Profiles 48
 List of Tables Page
Table 1 Population per Province/City, 2015 9
Table 2 Urban and Rural Population per Province/City, 2015 9
Table 3 Climatological and Geological Hazards 11
Table 4 Seasonal Projections Under a Medium-Range Emission Scenario 11
Table 5 Frequency of Extreme Events in 2020 and 2050 Under a Medium-Range Emission Scenario 11
Table 6 National and Regional Access to Water Supply 15
Table 7 Access to Water Supply per Province/City 15
Table 8 National and Regional Access to Sanitation 17
Table 9 Access to Sanitary Facilities per Province 17
Table 10 Aquifer Classes Based on MGB Aquifer Types 21
Table 11 Water Availability per Province 21
Table 12 Water Service Providers per Province/City 25
Table 13 Classification of Rivers 31
Table 14 Hindering and Facilitating Factors 33
Table 15 Strategies in Achieving Increased Access to Potable Water 34
Table 16 Proposed Strategic Interventions for Water Supply 38
Table 17 Proposed Strategic Interventions for Sanitation 38
Table 18 Capital Investments Required to Meet Water Supply Targets 39
Table 19 Institutional and Regulatory Reforms to Achieve Water Supply and Sanitation Goals 39
Table 20 Indirect Costs Employed 41
Table 21 Total Investment Costs for Water Supply Sector 41
Table 22 Total Investment Costs for Sanitation Sector 43

List of Figures Page

Figure 1 GRDP Contributions per Sector, 2016 7

Figure 2 Labor Distribution per Province/City 7

Figure 3 Distribution of Expenditure, 2015 9

Figure 4 Main Sources of Water Supply, 2015 15

Figure 5 Provincial Access to Safe Water 15

Figure 6 Percentage of Households with Access to Sanitary Facilities 17

Figure 7 Existing Septage Treatment Plants 17

Figure 8 Water Resources Potential and Annual Rainfall 19

Figure 9 Water Use, 2017 21

Figure 10 Water Availability Map, 2015 21

Figure 11 Projected Population 22

Figure 12 Projected Water Demand 22

Figure 13 Biological Oxygen Demand, 2015 27

Figure 14 Categories of Wastewater 27

Figure 15 Wastewater Produced, 2015 27

Figure 16 Waterless Municipalities 31

Figure 17 SOCCSKSARGEN WSS Strategic Framework 35

Figure 18 Targeted Households with Access to Safe Water 36

Figure 19 Targeted Households with Access to Sanitation Facilities 36

Figure 20 Distribution of Investment Requirement per Province/City 44

Acronyms
AIP Annual Investment Plan
AM Assistance to Municipalities
ARMM Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
BDP Business Development Plan
BMRB Buayan-Malungon River Basin
BOD Biological Oxygen Demand
BWSA Barangay Water and Sanitation Association
CARP Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program
CapEx Capital Expenditure
CBO Community-Based Organization
CHO City Health Office
CLTS Community-Led Total Sanitation
CLUP Comprehensive Land Use Plan
CMO Chief Management Officer
COD Chemical Oxygen Demand
CPDO City Planning Development Office
DA Department of Agriculture
DAO Department Administrative Order
DED Detailed Engineering Design
DENR Department of Environment and Natural Resources
DILG Department of the Interior and Local Government
DJF December, January and February
DOH Department of Health
DPWH Department of Public Works and Highways
DTI Department of Trade and Industry
EMB Environmental Management Bureau
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization
FHSIS Field Health Service Information System
FIES Family Income and Expenditure Survey
FS Feasibility Study
GRDP Gross Regional Domestic Product
GSCWD General Santos City Water District
HH Household
HUC Highly Urbanized City
IEC Information, Education and Communication
JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency
JJA June, July and August
KanCRN Kansan Collaborative Research Network
LDP Local Development Plan
LCE Local Chief Executive
LED Local Economic Development
LFPR Labor Force Participation Rate
LGU Local Government Unit
LSSP Local Sustainable Sanitation Plan
LWUA Local Water Utilities Administration
M&E Monitoring and Evaluation
MAM March, April and May
MDG Millenium Development Goals
MGB Mines and Geosciences Bureau
MRB Mindanao River Basin
MOA Memorandum of Agreement
MSME Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
MW4SP Municipal Water Supply, Sewerage and Sanitation Sector Plan
NAMRIA National Mapping and Resource Information Authority
NAPC National Anti-Poverty Commission
NC National Certificate
NCR National Capital Region
NDRRMC National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
NEDA National Economic and Development Authority
NGO Nongovernment Organization
NRW Nonrevenue Water
NSSMP National Septage and Sewerage Master Plan
NWRB National Water Resources Board
 O&M Operation and Management
OBS Observed Baseline
OCD Office of Civil Defense
OD Open Defecation
PAGASA Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
PAWD Philippine Association of Water Districts
PDP Philippine Development Plan
PDIP Provincial Development Investment Program
PEM Philippine Environment Monitor
PMS Pre-Membership Seminar
POW Program of Work
PNSDW Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water
PSA Philippine Statistics Authority
PSGC Philippine Standard Geographic Code
PWSSMP Philippine Water Supply and Sanitation Master Plan
RBCO River Basin Control Office
RDP Regional Development Plan
ROW Right-of-Way
RWSA Rural Waterworks and Sanitation Association
SALINTUBIG Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig
SDG Sustainable Development Goals
SMERA Small and Medium Enterprise Roving Academy
SMP Septage Management Program
SOCCSKSARGEN South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos
SON September, October and November
STP Septage Treatment Plant
STS Science Technology and Society
SSF Shared Service Facilities
SURGE Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity
SWMB Solid Waste Management Board
TC Tropical Cyclone
TDS Total Dissolved Solids
TSS Total Suspended Solids
TESDA Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
TOR Terms of Reference
TSS Total Suspended Solids
TWG Technical Working Group
UN United Nations
UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund
USAID United States Agency for International Development
WASH Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
WD Water District
WHO World Health Organization
WMO World Meteorological Organization
WQMA Water Quality Management Area
WRR Water Resources Region
WSP Water Service Provider
WSS Water Supply and Sanitation
WSSPMO Water Supply and Sanitation Program Management Office
ZOD Zero Open Defecation

Units
% percent
°C degree Celsius
CY Calendar Year
km² square kilometer
km kilometer
lpcd liters per capita per day
lps liters per second
m³ cubic meter
MCM million cubic meters
mm millimeter
mg/L milligrams per liter
PhP Philippine peso
6
 Region XII
SOCCSKSARGEN
Introduction SOCCSKSARGEN

SOCCSKSARGEN is located
in Central Mindanao.
It is bounded on the north by Northern Mindanao, on the
east by Davao Region, and on the southwest by the
Celebes Sea. It is surrounded by the bays of Sarangani,
Illana and Paguil, and the Moro Gulf.
SOCCSKSARGEN (designated as Region XII) is the
acronym for the region's four provinces and one highly
urbanized city (HUC), namely: South Cotabato, Cotabato,
Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City.
Formerly known as Central Mindanao, it used to include
the provinces of Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur,
Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Maguindanao. Figure 1: GRDP Contributions per Sector, 2016
Endowed with rich natural resources, the region is
Mindanao’s major supplier of hydroelectric power.
General Santos City (or “GenSan”), located in the Labor and Employment
southern part of South Cotabato, is known as “the tuna
capital of the Philippines” because it holds the record for As of 2017, the current total labor force participation rate
the country’s largest total daily tuna volume (caught from (LFPR) of SOCCSKSARGEN was estimated at 63.8% of
the Sarangani Bay). its total population (or about 3.12 million). This shows a
decrease of 0.8% from the 2016 LFPR.3
The employment rate was considerably high at 96.6%.
Land Classification The unemployment rate, however, was recorded at 3.4%
while underemployment 14.6%.
The region has a total land area of 22,513.30 square
kilometers (km2) representing around 23% of the island of The region’s high underemployment rate, registered at
Mindanao and 7.5% of the country's total land area. Of 3.4%, was higher than that in 2016. This was largely
this figure, 53% is forestland and 47% is alienable and attributed to seasonal job opportunities and mismatch of
disposable land. occupations and skills.

Economy
The service sector made up the lion’s share in the
region’s gross regional domestic product (GRDP),
followed by the industry sector and the agriculture,
fishery and forestry sector.1
In 2009, SOCCSKSARGEN’s GRDP ranked third among
the Mindanao regions in terms of contribution. Regional
investments posted fluctuating trends at PhP8.62 billion
in 2013. Investments took a steep decline at PhP4.492
billion in 2014 but recovered posting investments valued
at PhP7.650 billion in 2015.2
Figure 2: Labor Distribution per Province/City
Contributions to the rise in domestic sales include
interventions such as Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprises (MSMEs) assistance from the Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI) through programs such as the
Small and Medium Enterprise Roving Academy (SMERA)
Negosyo Centers, the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform
Program (CARP) and Shared Service Facilities (SSF).
1
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA),
CountryStat Philippines 2016
2
National Economic and Development
Authority, Region XII, SOCCSKSARGEN
Regional Development Plan 2017-2022
3
Philippine Statistics Authority, Labor
Force Survey, 2015

7
Population Density
PSA, 2015 Census

8
 Figure 3: Distribution of Expenditure, 2015

Family Income and Expenditure Demography

There are about 1,055,000 families in SOCCSKSARGEN SOCCSKSARGEN had a total population of 4.55 million
with a total average annual family income of about (equivalent to about 1 million households) as of 2015,
PhP188,000, and a total annual average expenditure of which accounted for 4.5% of the country’s total
PhP162,000. The figure is PhP79,000 lower than the population. It registered an average annual population
average annual family income of PhP267,000 at the growth rate of 1.94% from 2010-2015.
national level.4
In 2015, the population density of the region averaged
Out of 100 families, 37 were identified as living below the 202 persons/km2. Among local government units (LGUs),
poverty threshold in 2015. The province of Sarangani had General Santos City had the highest density at 1,206
the highest poverty incidence at 47.3%, followed by persons/km2, about six times larger than that of the
Sultan Kudarat at 39.2%, and Cotabato at 34.5%. region.
With respect to the disbursement patterns of the families The region is predominantly (54%) rural; the average
in the region and across income levels, the Family percentage of the rural population was recorded at 54%.
Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) conducted in Household (HH) size averages 4.32 persons.
2015 revealed that food expenditure registered the
highest among the major expenditure groups at 45%.
Bothe housing expenses and expenses for water,
electricity, gas and other fuels followed at 8%. Figure 3
graphs the expenditure distribution showing that most
families spend more for their basic needs.

Table 1: Population per Province/City, 2015

Land Area Population Density

Region/Province/City 2015 Population 2 2
(km ) (Persons/km )

SOCCSKSARGEN 4,545,276 22,513.30 202

Cotabato (North Cotabato) 1,379,747 9,008.90 153

South Cotabato
(excluding General Santos 915,289 3,935.95 233
City)
General Santos City 594,446 492.86 1,206

Sultan Kudarat 812,095 5,298.34 153

Sarangani 544,261 3,601.25 151

Cotabato City 299,438 176.00 1,701

Table 2: Urban and Rural Population per Province/City, 20155

Region/Province/City Urban Population Rural Population

SOCCSKSARGEN 46% 54%
Cotabato (North Cotabato) 23% 77%
South Cotabato
(excluding General Santos 49% 51%
City) 4
Philippine Statistics Authority, Family
General Santos City 97% 3% Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES),
Sultan Kudarat 34% 66% 2015
5
Philippine Statistics Authority, Philippine
Sarangani 37% 63% Standard Geographic Code, 2015
Cotabato City 87% 13%

9
 Climate
PAGASA, 2015 Data

10
Climate Climate Change and
According to the Philippine climate system established by Hydrological Hazards
the Modified Coronas Classification, SOCCSKSARGEN
has two types of climate — Type IV and Type III. The Philippines is at great risk of climate-related hazards,
such as TCs, floods, droughts and sea level rise. The
Most parts of the region has a Type IV climate in which effects of observed changes in extreme events and
rainfall is more or less distributed throughout the year. severe climate anomalies include increased occurrence
The other parts have a Type III climate in which seasons of extreme rains causing: (a) floods and landslides; (b)
are not very pronounced, relatively dry from November to longer and more intense droughts which cause massive
April, and wet the rest of the year.6 crop failures, water shortages and forest fires; and (c)
increased occurrence of TCs.

Disaster Risk7 Global climate models, which were used to run two
possible scenarios (A1B and A2), were downscaled to
SOCCSKSARGEN is prone to different types of calculate projected Philippine rainfall. Studies show a
disasters, specifically those that are climatological and general increase in rainfall for 2020, 2050 and beyond.
geological in nature. The models, however, show higher variability in rainfall
with increased peak rainfall during the wet season and
Table 3: Climatological and Geological Hazards longer dry conditions during the dry season. (Rainfall
variability means changes in water supply dynamics
Category Specific Hazards spatially and year-to-year.)
Geological Earthquake, liquefaction, earthquake- Water supply is highly vulnerable to changes in river
induced landslide and tsunami flows and the rate of replenishment of groundwater
Climatological tropical cyclones (TCs), flooding, resources. Lower river flows will result in water
drought, rain-induced landslide, sea shortages. More intense rainfall events may not
level rise, storm surges necessarily mean more groundwater recharge compared
to rain that is more evenly spread throughout the year.
SOCCSKSARGEN is typically a typhoon-free region. In
Lower than average rainfall or longer pronounced dry
recent years, however, flash floods, tornadoes,
days may affect soil porosity and vegetation, which could
earthquakes, and the El Niño and La Niña phenomena
lead to reduced soil infiltration rates. This means less
have affected a large part of its population.
groundwater recharge. Given this scenario, more water
Deforestation has likewise worsened perennial problems stress will likely be experienced by 2020 and 2050.
such as flooding in settlements and agricultural areas. In
The projected seasonal temperature increase, seasonal
recent years, siltation has taken place in major rivers
rainfall change and frequency of extreme events
(such as Ala, Mindanao, and Tamontaka) and the
(temperatures higher than 35°C, days when rainfall is
Liguasan marsh (which acts as a natural flood buffer
more than 300 mm, and rainy days that outnumber dry
against floods caused by torrential rains and typhoons).
days) in Region XII based on the Philippine Atmospheric,
Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
(PAGASA) downscaled climate projections are shown in
Tables 4 and 5. Four seasons are provided: December,
January and February (DJF); March, April and May
(MAM); June, July and August (JJA); and September,
October and November (SON). The projections were
added to the observed values in the past 30-year
baseline (1971-2000).

Table 4: Seasonal Projections Under a Medium-Range Emission Scenario

Observed Baseline Change in 2020 Change in 2050

Seasonal Temperature Increases (1971 - 2000) (2006-2035) (2036-2065)
(in C)
DJF MAM JJA SON DJF MAM JJA SON DJF MAM JJA SON
Cotabato (North Cotabato) 26.8 27.9 27 27.1 1 1.3 1.2 1.1 2.1 2.5 2.4 2.1
Sarangani 27.7 28.4 27.3 27.6 0.9 1.2 1.1 1 1.9 2.4 2.2 2
South Cotabato 27.7 28.5 27.4 27.7 1 1.2 1.1 1.1 2 2.3 2.2 2.1
Sultan Kudarat 27.8 28.6 27.6 27.8 1 1.2 1.1 1 2 2.2 2.2 2
Observed Baseline Change in 2020 Change in 2050
Seasonal Rainfall Change (1971 - 2000) (2006-2035) (2036-2065)
(in %)
DJF MAM JJA SON DJF MAM JJA SON DJF MAM JJA SON
Cotabato (North Cotabato) 235.4 353.2 572.5 486 14.8 -5.9 -6.1 1.6 8.1 -4.5 -8.7 -4.2
Sarangani 212.3 212.6 333.6 302.5 10.1 -12.1 -9.3 -1.7 15.6 -17.6 -10.4 -5.3
South Cotabato 183.3 234.1 402.8 351.7 10.1 -8.7 -12.1 -6.8 8.6 -10.8 -18 -14.4
Sultan Kudarat 189.3 311 513.1 448.7 6.1 -2.3 -9.2 2.9 7.5 -4.2 -13.6 1.3

Table 5: Frequency of Extreme Events in 2020 and 2050 Under a Medium-Range Emission Scenario

No. of Days w/
No. of Days w/ Tmax > 35C No. of Dry Days
Province Station Rainfall > 300mm
OBS 2020 2050 OBS 2020 2050 OBS 2020 2050
South Cotabato General Santos 1397 3748 6430 8704 7526 8052 0 0 1

6
Concepcion RN. 2004. Gateway to land
and water information: Philippine National
Report
7
Office of Civil Defense, National Disaster
Risk Reduction Management Council
(NDRRMC)

11
Contour Map
NAMRIA

12
Average Rainfall
PAGASA, 2015 Data

13
Access to Safe Drinking Water
PSA, 2015 Census

14
 WSS Sector Status
Access to Safe Water Table 7 shows safe water access in 2015 at the
provincial level.
Approximately 87% of SOCCSKSARGEN’s
Table 7: Access to Water Supply per Province/City10
population had access to safe water
Region/Province/City Access to Safe Water Supply
sources in 2015.8
SOCCSKSARGEN 91.0%
This figure translates to around 920,000 HHs. About 29%
Cotabato (North
of the population has Level III service connection at 95.1%
Cotabao)
home while 12% has Level II service which the
households share with the community. Access to Level I Sarangani 100.0%
service comprises 46%. South Cotabato 94.5%
Safe sources of water under this category include tubed Sultan Kudarat 75.7%
and/or piped deep/shallow wells (which users themselves
General Santos City 89.1%
own or share with the community), and protected springs,
rivers, streams, etc. Cotabato City 91.1%

The region’s access to safe water is on a par with the

national average of about 88%, with a discrepancy of
only 0.5%.
In terms of access per level of service, Level III access is
significantly below the national average while Level II and
Level I access is higher.10

Table 6: National and Regional Access to Water Supply9

Level of Service National Region XII

Level III 44.1% 29.3%
Level II 11.2% 12.4%
Level I (Safe Sources) 32.4% 45.5%
Subtotal (Safe Sources) 87.7% 87.2%
Level I (Unsafe Sources) 12.3% 12.8%

Total 100.0% 100.0%

Figure 4 shows the percentage distribution of the region’s

various water sources.

Figure 5: Provincial Access to Safe Water

Drinking Water
In terms of access to safe drinking water, the Philippine
Statistics Authority (PSA) has released data up to the
municipal level based on the latest 2015 Census. The
classification of sources for drinking water is the same as
that for sources of safe water with the addition of bottled
water.
As of 2015, 88% of the region drank water from sources
considered “improved” and “safe”. Of the region’s total
population, 9% drank bottled water.
Among the provinces, Sarangani had the lowest access
to safe drinking water at 84%. South Cotabato, excluding
General Santos City, had access to safe drinking water at
around 94%.
Figure 4: Main Sources of Water Supply, 2015
The map on the left shows the extent of access to safe 8
Philippine Statistics Authority, Family
drinking water at the municipal level Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES),
2015
9
Ibid.
10
Based on Region XII provinces’ first
hand data on access to safe water, as
gathered during the regional planning and
consultation workshop

15
Access to Sanitation
SOCCSKSARGEN Regional Planning and Consultation Workshop, 2017 Data

16
Access to Sanitation
Though in-migration to capital cities like General Santos
City has slowed down development in some adjacent
provinces like Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani,
the overall growth of the region has, as a matter of
course, contributed to the increase in demand for
sanitation services.

Approximately 41% of the region’s

population has access to improved
sanitation.
The 2015 FIES has reported that SOCCSKSARGEN
posted a figure more than half of the national average in
terms of coverage for improved sanitation and more than
twice the national average for basic sanitation.
Figure 6: Percentage of HHs with Access to Sanitary Facilities
The open defecation rate of the region is also on a par
with the national average. (The open defecation rate is a
Figure 6 shows the percentage of households per type of
proxy indicator for the lack of access to toilet facilities.)
sanitation facilities. It represents the initial stages of the
sanitation ladder in the region.
Table 8: National and Regional Access to Sanitation11
While one of the main objectives of the Philippine
Sanitation Coverage National Region XII Development Plan (PDP) is to achieve universal access
to sustainable sanitation by 2030, SDG 6.2 highlights the
Improved Sanitation 73.77% 40.92%
need to broaden the definition of sanitation access, that
Basic Sanitation 19.96% 48.39% is, to include safely managed and improved sanitation
Unimproved Sanitation 2.04% 6.14% through the treatment of wastewater or fecal sludge on-
Open Defecation 4.23% 4.55% site or off-site.

Total 100.0% 100.0% Data on access to sanitation at the provincial level in

SOCCSKSARGEN were gathered during the regional
consultation and planning workshop. The map on the left
South Cotabato registered the highest access to basic
shows the extent of access to sanitation of the provinces
sanitation at 90.98% but represented only 20.14% of the
in the region.
regional population. The two provinces with the highest
population base in the region, North Cotabato and Sultan Figure 7, on the other hand, shows the locations of the
Kudarat, comprise the lowest and third lowest access at septage treatment plants (STPs) in the region.
82.21% and 71.76%, respectively, according to the 2015
Annual Report of the Field Health Services Information
System (FHSIS) of the Department of Health (DOH).

Table 9: Access to Sanitary Facilities per Province/City12

HHs with
HHs with Complete Basic
Region/Province/City
Sanitary Toilets Sanitation
Facilities
SOCCSKSARGEN 81.41 63.45
Cotabato (North Cotabato) 82.21 56.96
Sarangani 72.03 54.39
South Cotabato 90.98 61.49
Sultan Kudarat 71.76 63.82
General Santos City 90.00 80.00
Cotabato City 75.70 75.70

The minor discrepancy between Tables 8 and 9

regarding totals and averages highlights the difficulty of
reconciling the definition of sanitation coverage under the
Millenium Development Goals (MDG) with a more
stratified and specific definition under the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDG). Table 8 reflects the specifics
per the SDG’s definition. Table 9, on the other hand,
reflects the rates of access as defined under the MDG,
wherein the percentage of households with complete
basic sanitation facilities is a subset of those with sanitary
toilets.
Categorization of the facilities as per SDG definitions is Figure 7: Existing Septage Treatment Plants13
as follows:

Improved Sanitation Water-sealed sewer septic tank (exclusive use)

Basic Sanitation Water-sealed sewer septic tank (shared)

11
Water-sealed other depository (exclusive use) Philippine Statistics Authority, Family
Water-sealed other depository (shared) Income and Expenditure Survey, 2015
12
Department of Health, FHSIS Annual
Closed Pit
Report CY 2015
13
Based on Region XII provinces’ first
Unimproved Sanitation Open Pit hand data on access to sanitation, as
gathered during the regional planning and
Open Defecation Other Means consultation workshop
None

17
SOCCSKSARGEN Rivers and Tributaries
DENR, NWRB, NAMRIA

18
 Water Resources
SOCCSKSARGEN ranks 7th North Cotabato has the largest area coverage — about
29.34% of the basin’s total area. It has groundwater
among all administrative potential of 4,956 MCM/yr.
Major rivers within the basin include the Ala River,
regions with the most water traversing the Ala Valley in the south, the Pulangi River
resources potential. with headwater from Bukidnon, the Ambal-Simuay River
System originating from Lanao del Sur, and the
Its water resources potential totals 9,344 million cubic Mindanao and Tamontaka Rivers in the Lower Cotabato
meters (MCM)/year, taking up 6.4% of the country’s total. River Basin. Of these rivers, the Kulama River falls under
Class A, the M-lang and Ala Rivers under Class C, and
The water resources potential of an area is based on its Pulangui and Libungan under Class D (DAO 34 s. 1990).
groundwater and surface water. Groundwater in the
region is estimated at 803 MCM per year while surface
water is estimated at 8,541 MCM/year. Annual rainfall in
Buayan-Malungon River Basin
the region averages 1,788 mm/year. The BMRB is situated in central and southern Mindanao,
covering two regions — Region XI (Davao Region) and
These figures are based on the estimation of the Region XII. It lies within the northern portion of Sarangani
potential of the country’s water resources regions (WRR) towards its boundary in South Cotabato. It traverses
(see National Databook). The WRRs do not necessarily three provinces of Mindanao, namely: Davao del Sur,
coincide with the boundaries of the administrative Sarangani, and South Cotabato. It has an area of
regions. These hydrological boundaries are defined by approximately 1,505.1 km2.
their physiographic features and homogeneity in climate.
This river basin is considered an allied subbasin of the
SOCCSKSARGEN is included in WRR 12 along with one MRB. It is bounded on the east by Mt. Matutum in
province from Region X and two provinces from the Malungon, and drains into the Sarangani Bay.
Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
The Buayan River and Malungon River are its main
tributaries. Several rivers particularly within General
Santos City, South Cotabato, and Alabel, Sarangani also
Surface Water serve as tributaries that discharge into the Sarangani Bay
(DENR Region XII 2007).
SOCCSKSARGEN has two major river basins, namely:
the Mindanao River Basin (MRB) and the Buayan-
Malungon River Basin (BMRB) (the second largest).
It has been recommended that to protect the areas within
the river basins, the management and rehabilitation of
watersheds and wetland are in order. A flood and
disaster risk management plan should likewise be
enforced.

Mindanao River Basin

The MRB has a total area of 20,859.41 km2, making it the
second largest river basin next to Cagayan River Basin. It
covers a total of nine provinces including North and
South Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat which serves as its
water outlet.

Figure 8: Water Resources Potential and Annual Rainfall14

14
JICA Master Plan on Water Resources
Management in the Philippines, 1998;
NWRB; PAGASA rainfall data; FAO

19
 Groundwater Availability
MGB

20
Table 10: Aquifer Classes Based on MGB Aquifer Types

Aquifer Class MGB Aquifer Type Estimated Yields (boreholes unless stated)
Major Aquifer Intergranular: extensive and highly Mostly 50-100 lps
(Highly permeable) productive
Fractured: fairly extensive and productive (aquifers 3-50 lps, spring yields up to 1000 lps
with high potential recharge)
Minor Aquifer Intergranular: fairly extensive and productive About 20 lps
(Variably permeable) Intergranular: local and less productive Mostly 2-20 lps
Fractured: less extensive and productive Well yields up to 3 lps
Non-aquifer Rocks with limited groundwater potential Yields mostly less than 1 lps
(Negligibly permeable) Rocks without any significant known groundwater Yields mostly less than 1 lps

Groundwater Water Availability, Water Stress,

Groundwater conditions are controlled by geology, and Water Scarcity
topography, and the structure of the groundwater basin.
The structure of the groundwater basin consists of Hydrologists typically assess scarcity by looking at the
distribution and hydrogeological conditions such as the population-water equation. An area is experiencing water
aquifer structure and aquicludes, the physical stress when annual water supplies drop below 1,700 m3
characteristics of the formations as per transmissibility per person. When annual water supplies drop below
and storage coefficient and chemical characteristics of 1,000 m3 per person, the population faces water scarcity,
groundwater. These factors need to be defined in relation and below 500 m3 ‘absolute scarcity.’” (UN Water, n.d.)16
to the possible development depth and overall Water availability per capita was computed by comparing
development potential. the region and provinces’ potential against the 2015
The extent of groundwater availability in any given area population (as shown in Table 11).
also depends on its surface area and the amount of
Table 11: Water Availability per Province
precipitation it receives. Furthermore, it is tied to
groundwater storage based on the type and class of Water Availability (m3/capita/year)
aquifer present in a study area (see Table 10). Region/Province
2015 Population
Major aquifers can be found throughout the region. Non- Cotabato (North Cotabato) 2,731.25
aquifers cover only small parts of the region in Sarangani 2,767.80
comparison to the other administrative regions. South Cotabato 1,227.09
SOCCSKSARGEN’s aquifers have extensive to Sultan Kudarat 2,729.12
moderate permeability. SOCCSKSARGEN 2,363.81

The region’s per capita water availability was below said

Water Use threshold at around 2,400 m3/year.

Water use in the region based on awarded water permits

was estimated at 6,253.08 MCM annually as of 2017.
About 11% (687.26 MCM) is allocated for power
generation and categorized under nonconsumptive use.
The remaining volume (5,565.82 MCM) is allocated for
consumptive use (see Figure 9).
The irrigation sector consumes the largest volume of
water among all sectors with a 97.7% allocation. The
domestic sector consumes only 1.2% and the industrial
sector 0.4%.

Figure 10: Water Availability Map, 2015

Figure 9: Water Use, 201715

15
National Water Resources Board’s list of
water permit grantees, 2017
16
Managing Water Report under
Uncertainty and Risk, UN World Water
Development Report 4 (Volume 1)

21
 Demand
Population Projection Water Demand vs. Water
Population projection is important in estimating the future Resources Potential
water and sanitation demand of a study area. It is a study
of a recorded pattern of past population growth to The water demand of the industrial, business and
establish future trends. domestic sectors in SOCCSKSARGEN is expected to
significantly increase in the near future. The efficient use
Employing PSA’s 2010-based population projections and management of available water resources, therefore,
which were adjusted to conform with the actual 2015 must be ensured to promote universal access to stable
population, the region’s population is projected to reach and steady water supply.
6,881,708 by 2045.
Comparing the projected water demand (380 MCM/year)
to the water resources potential of the region (9,344
MCM/year), the availability of water far exceeds the
Water Supply and Demand projected water demand of the region up to 2045.
Water demand projection is fundamental to water supply It must be noted, however, that the projected water
feasibility studies and preliminary engineering design. It demand of the region does not include that of its
is also an important tool in the preparation of master agricultural sector, which consumes the largest volume of
plans, considering the future needs of a growing water among all industry sectors. What appears to be
population. Water demand projections are developed abundant may be less once the agriculture sector uses
based on the estimated projected population. its “share”. It is estimated that agriculture takes up about
In general, the total water demand is equal to the sum of 75% to 80% of the total consumptive use of water in the
the domestic, commercial, industrial, institutional, and country.
unaccounted-for water. Computation for water demand at Though there is no foreseeable water shortage in the
the household level, in particular, is primarily based on region in the coming years, it is necessary to efficiently
the degree of urbanization of a barangay. manage and use its water resources to control possible
In projecting water demand, the units of consumption demand shifts.
used are 120 liters per capita per day (lpcd) for urban To fully make use of its groundwater and surface water
populations, and 60 lpcd for rural populations. In the NCR potential, however, the issue regarding mining activities
and other HUCs, 150 lpcd and 80 lpcd are used for urban in the region has to be immediately addressed.
and rural populations, respectively.
By 2022, 2030, and 2040, the total water demand of the
region would have reached 257 MCM/year, 309 MCM/
year, and 380 MCM/year, respectively.

Figure 11: Projected Population

Figure 12: Projected Water Demand

22
2015 Population 2040 Population Projection

2015 Water Demand 2040 Water Demand Projection 23

Water Districts and Areas Covered with Level III Service
LWUA, PAWD, NWRB Listahang Tubig, 2017 Data

24
 WSS Infrastructure
Water service providers Furthermore, it cannot be ascertained that all WSPs in
the region have already registered under Listahang Tubig
(WSPs) of various or are continually updating their operations data.
Nevertheless, these data help economic experts and
management types serve engineers gain insights into the region’s situation in
around 38% of relation to its existing water utilities.

SOCCSKSARGEN.17 Water Districts

As of 2015, of the 28 WDs in the region, 23 were
These management types depend on the service areas
operational and 5 nonoperational. These serviced around
(urban and rural), the number of potential water
37% of the population.
connections, and the level of service given.
For small urban towns and rural areas, community-based LGU-Led Water Utilities
organizations (CBOs) – which include rural waterworks There are 108 LGU-led water utilities in the region
and sanitation associations (RWSA), barangay water and serving 13 areas — 94,245 users or roughly 2% of the
sanitation associations (BWSA), and water cooperatives total population.
– operate supply systems offering services at Level II
(and in some cases, Level I). As the area grows and
becomes more urbanized or more densely populated,
Private Utilities/Others
water service providers mostly comprise water districts There are 176 other WSPs in the region, supplying water
(WDs) and LGU-run utilities providing Level III service. to about 586,495 people or approximately 13%. These
include cooperatives, private WSPs, etc.
Areas that do not have access to any formal level of
service rely on point sources, such as shallow and deep The map on the left shows the location of operational and
wells. nonoperational WDs in the region as well as barangays
provided with Level III water service by various WSPs
(except WDs).

Water Service Providers

The percentage of the population having access to or
being served by these WSPs is not in accord with the
figures in PSA’s 2015 FIES mainly because the former
came from various sources18, with the bulk of the data
coming from the National Water Resources Board’s
(NWRB) Listahang Tubig.

Table 12: Water Service Provider per Province/City

Population Served
Province No. of LGUs Type & No. of WSPs Service Area
Total %
WDs 10 1,248,070 426,585 34.2%
LGU-led 28 11,770 0.8%
South Cotabato 12 BWSA - - -
RWSA 9 19,925 1.3%
Private/Others 16 359,410 23.8%
Subtotal 72 1,509,735 817,690 54.2%
WDs 4 253,211 125,619 49.6%
LGU-led 55 39,205 4.8%
Sultan Kudarat 12 BWSA 8 5,620 0.7%
RWSA 4 8,500 1.0%
Private/Others 76 111,680 13.8%
Subtotal 147 812,095 290,624 35.8%
WDs 9 840,200 264,462 31.5%
LGU-led 6 1,350 0.1%
Cotabato
18 BWSA 4 860 0.1%
(North Cotabato)
RWSA - - -
Private/Others 7 79,580 5.8%
Subtotal 26 1,379,747 346,252 25.1%
WDs 4 177,731 13,476 7.6%
LGU-led 19 41,920 7.7%
Sarangani 7 BWSA 4 680 0.1%
RWSA 3 3,240 0.6%
Private/Others 77 35,825 6.6%
Subtotal 107 544,261 95,141 17.5%
WDs 1 123,756 158,686 100%
LGU-led - - -
Cotabato City 1 BWSA - - -
RWSA - - -
Private/Others - - -
Subtotal 1 - 299,438 158,686 53.0%
WDs 28 2,642,968 988,828 37.4%
LGU-led 108 94,245 2.1%
SOCCSKSARGEN 50 BWSA 16 7,160 0.2%
17
RWSA 16 31,665 0.7% Data on water districts were based on
Private/Others 176 586,495 12.9% LWUA and PAWD reports; other WSP data
Grand Total 344 4,545,276 1,708,393 37.6% were based on Listahang Tubig (data as of
2017)
18
Local Water Utilities Administration
(LWUA), PAWD, NWRB Listahang Tubig

25
 Open Defecation
PSA, 2015 Data

26
 Sanitation
Sanitation is the provision of facilities and services for the Industrial and agricultural wastewater generation may be
safe management and disposal of human waste. Without estimated using guidelines provided by the WHO Rapid
sanitation, water quality degrades, health is compromised Assessment of Sources of Air, Water, and Land Pollution.
and the environment is adversely affected. Estimations, however, heavily depend on sectoral data
not currently available to the Consulting Team.
This section discusses the link between growing water
demand and its detrimental effects on water quality and Industrial wastewater generated is computed by industry
public health. type and depends on the present and future annual
volume of production output per type. Agricultural
wastewater generation and BOD estimation, on the other
Open Defecation hand, are based on the present and future annual
number of heads of livestock and poultry produced.
As defined by the Joint Monitoring Program (JMP) for
Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene of the World
Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations
Children’s Fund (UNICEF), open defecation is the
practice whereby people go out into the fields, bushes,
forests, open bodies of water, or other open spaces
rather than use the toilet to defecate. This can pollute the
environment and cause various health-related problems.
SOCCSKSARGEN has the eighth highest open
defecation rate in the country. At 4.55%, the region’s
open defecation rate almost equals that of the entire
country.
The map on the left shows the areas in the region where
open defecation is most prevalent.

Wastewater and Domestic

Biological Oxygen Demand Figure 14: Categories of Wastewater

A measure of the organic strength of wastes in water is In the absence of other data, only domestic BOD can be
biological oxygen demand (BOD), which is the rate at estimated. A BOD factor of 37 grams per person per day
which organisms use the oxygen in water or wastewater (unit pollution load) is assumed; for highly urbanized
while stabilizing decomposable organic matter under areas, 53 grams19 per person per day is used.
aerobic conditions. The greater the BOD, the greater the
degree of organic pollution. The wastewater20 produced by each province is directly
proportional to its water demand as well as its population.
The map below shows the current BOD in It is assumed that wastewater generated is 80% of the
SOCCSKSARGEN. total water demand. The current wastewater in the region
is shown in Figure 15.
BOD and wastewater projections until 2040 are shown in
the succeeding pages.

Figure 13: Biological Oxygen Demand, 2015 19

Philippine Environment Monitor (PEM),
Figure 15: Wastewater Produced, 2015 2003
20
Ibid.

27
 BOD Projection, 2020 BOD Projection, 2025

BOD Projection, 2030 BOD Projection, 2040

28
Wastewater Projection, 2020 Wastewater Projection, 2025

Wastewater Projection, 2030 Wastewater Projection, 2040

29
Areas with Water Quality Problems
Water Districts’ Water Quality Monitoring Data, LWUA, 2015

30
Water Quality There is also a high rate of erosion and siltation in the
area covered by the river basins.
Water quality measures how good water is in terms of its Wastewater projection maps (as shown in the preceding
beneficial use and environmental value. It is water pages) indicate that most cities and growing
relative to its use and measured in terms of its physical, municipalities have higher water demand compared to
chemical, biological and radiological characteristics. It is the other areas in the region. These areas are more
most frequently used in reference to a set of standards exposed to problems related to water quality and health,
against which compliance can be assessed. among them waterborne diseases.
As discussed earlier in “Water Resources”, The map on the left shows the areas whose water
SOCCSKSARGEN’s two major river basins cover most of sources have exhibited signs of poor water quality. The
its provinces and parts of regions that surround it. Table data are based on the water quality reports submitted by
13 shows the list of rivers in the region and their WDs to the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA).
corresponding classification. Data on water supply sources that are not covered or
owned by WDs are not reflected on this map.
Table 13: Classification of Rivers

Province/City River Classification

Arakan A Waterborne Diseases
Illan Bay (Parola Beach) SC
Kabacan* B Waterborne diseases are generally transmitted through
Kulaman* A water in which pathogenic microorganisms live. These
Libungan* D diseases can be spread while bathing, washing, or
M'lang C drinking water, or by eating food exposed to
Maalang A/B
contaminated water.21
Cotabato Malasila* B/C
Marbel B/C/D In 2015, cases of cholera, acute watery diarrhea, typhoid
Matingao B and paratyphoid were reported in SOCCSKSARGEN,
Nuangan D
indicating that many people in the region still have no
Polangi* D
Rio Grande de Mindanao* C
safe access to drinking water and sanitation facilities.
Saguing A/B Based on the 2015 Food and Waterborne Diseases
Tinanan B Report of the Department of Health (DOH), there were 70
Cotabato City Iligan Bay SC
cases of cholera, 22,019 cases of acute bloody diarrhea,
Buayan B
Silway C and 4,054 cases of typhoid and paratyphoid.
General Santos
City Sinawal C As of 2017, the Department of the Interior and Local
Tinagacan B Government (DILG) reported 13 waterless22
Kidapawan City Naungan B/C
municipalities in the region (see Figure 16).
Kalaong* A
Kiamba, Sarangani Area SB Residents in these areas have limited access to safe
Kipalbig C (drinking) water, and thus, are forced to resort to unsafe
Lun Masla A
sources of water. Doing so increases their exposure to a
Maasim, Sarangani Area SB/SC
Sarangani
Maribulan C
host of waterborne diseases.
Pangi B/C
Sarangani Bay SB/SC
Siguil* A
Lun Padidu A
Atlayan
Banga* B
Kematu C
Klinan C
Lake Sebu B/C
South Cotabato
Maitum, Sarangani Area SB/SC
Marbel C
Palian B
Sefali C
Toplan C
Allah* C
Sultan Kudarat Kipangkong B
Kraan * A
*Principal rivers

Chemical oxygen demand (COD) is the measurement of

the oxygen needed to oxidize organic matter during the
process of decomposition (Real Tech, Inc., 2015). The
highest COD level is found in the coastal waters of
General Santos City with about 682 mg/L. A high
concentration of COD means a great amount of
oxidizable organic material which would, in turn, reduce
the level of dissolved oxygen in the water body. This
reduction of dissolved oxygen available for aquatic
organisms is detrimental to their survival.
The coastal waters of General Santos City have been
found to have the highest total dissolved solids (TDS)
concentration with 2000 mg/L — other water samples
tested did not reach even the minimum threshold. A high Figure 16: Waterless Municipalities
concentration of TDS, like total suspended solids (TSS),
could also reduce clarity of water, decrease
photosynthesis, combine with heavy metals resulting in
21
increased water temperature (KanCRN website, as cited World Health Organization (WHO)
22
Municipalities with less than 50% service
by Murphy, 2007). coverage, National Anti-Poverty
Commission, 2010

31
 WSS Sector Gaps
In assessing the current state of the WSS sector in Service Provision
SOCCSKSARGEN, areas that require upgraded facilities, With no master plan to guide their actions and
improved WSS systems as well as regular and extensive
inadequate financial resources to fall back on, efforts of
monitoring protocols were brainstormed and identified at
LGUs to boost public health through improved sanitation
the regional consultation and planning workshop. services almost always fall short of expectations. The
weaknesses and gaps in service provision result in
underserved, and in worst cases, unserved communities
Issues, Constraints, and where sourcing of water for drinking, personal hygiene
and other household necessities is a day-to-day struggle.
Challenges In the same disadvantaged communities, where toilet
bowls are a luxury, open defecation is the norm, a
The workshop on WSS in Region VIII produced a clear serious public health hazard exacerbated by the
picture of realities on the ground, based on personal thoughtless disposal of domestic wastewater.
experiences, local knowledge and insights shared by key
stakeholders and resource persons from the academe, Even in communities fortunate enough to be covered by
nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and other water district concessionaires, service provision leaves a
concerned institutions. lot to be desired. Consumers’ faith in water quality is
shaky due to limited water treatment facilities, quality
The planning workshop attended by provincial officials in monitoring deficiencies owing to lack of requisite tools
Region XII and representatives of regional line agencies and equipment, the prohibitive cost of water quality tests
identified certain “hindering and facilitating factors” and as well as inadequate manpower to carry out compliance
classified specific issues, constraints, and challenges monitoring and sanitary inspections.
confronting the WSS sector in three areas of concern: (a)
Planning and Development, (b) Service Provision, and (c) Pervasive concern has been raised about the spread of
Regulation. disease causing organisms due to the serious lack of
treatment facilities for septage and sludge. Consumers
also complain about a number of inconveniences,
Planning and Development including frequent service interruptions, periodic tariff
The litany of problems besetting the WSS sector in increases and water bill issues, among others.
Region XII is deeply rooted in the lack of a meticulously
crafted development plan, funding insufficiency, poor Solving the various problems hindering the efficient
monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, and delivery of water and sanitation service in Region XII
questionable priority setting. This is validated by the remains an inescapable reality. Among the proposed
following realities on the ground: there is no specific remedial measures to address the concerns are: the
agency that fully focuses on WSS projects; planning establishment of water quality testing laboratories that
bodies have inadequate capacity to come up with offer affordable rates; setting up of septage treatment
comprehensive plans; there are not enough financing facilities in suitable locations; hiring and mobilization of
and limited financing options for water projects, sufficient number of sanitary inspectors; quick resolution
especially in lower class municipalities; studies on WSS of right-of-way issues to clear the way for construction
sustainability are lacking; policies for planning and design and rehabilitation of essential facilities; and increased
are also limited, aggravating the lack of strong and public sector investments to satisfy the WSS sector’s
effective management/administration of water system need for supportive services and complementary utilities.
project implementation; and, there is no defined Special attention is also needed to mitigate the
regulatory and/or monitoring agency that focuses on insufferable state of WSS in poorer communities.
groundwater extraction issues. There is an urgent call for LCEs and donor organizations
Changing the untenable status quo would require the to donate (or at the very least, subsidize the installation
adoption and implementation of a number of facilitating of) toilet bowls to impoverished beneficiaries, increase
measures. While the desired plan remains a work in local awareness on the importance of hygiene and
progress, LCEs are encouraged to do the following: sanitation through IEC campaigns and conduct
facilitate the approval and execution of government- behavioral change mechanisms aimed at converting
funded WSS priority projects; attract private sector entire communities into WASH practitioners.
investments in water supply and sanitation business
through fair and equitable policies that allow Regulation
concessionaires to earn decent profits, implement cost The region’s poor track record in regulating the various
recovery schemes and undertake facilities rehabilitation functions of the WSS sector is one of its most glaring
and water line expansion projects in a red tape-free handicaps. At the root of the problem is the non-
environment. existence of a lead regulatory agency with a clear
Other recommendations include: forging of strong mandate to enforce the pertinent provisions of the Water
collaboration and robust partnership between LGU Code of the Philippines. As a result, there is widespread
agencies and primary stakeholders; and cultivation of noncompliance with the provisions of the code primarily
harmonious relationships, first, between water because of weak local capacity to monitor, detect and
concessionaires and LGUs and, second, between penalize violations of existing laws and ordinances.
neighboring LGUs. Among the most common infractions that escape
detection and punishment include illegal water drilling,
The master plan development process must take into excessive and unsustainable water extraction; violation of
account the urgent need to address the prevailing permitting requirements; and failure of water district
weaknesses, inadequacies and gaps in efforts to concessionaires to honor their commitments and
safeguard public health. The job will require the services deliverables as stipulated in their service contract.
of highly qualified, competent and credentialed
consultants. The major challenges include severe lack of Proposed facilitating measures include vigorous lobbying
STPs; lack of financing and fund sourcing options; targeting concerned national line agencies, legislators as
outdated provincial water supply and sanitation plans; well as regional, provincial and city/municipal officials in
nonexistence of a separate agency to enforce the creating a lead water regulatory agency, and
Sanitation Code of the Philippines; and defecation in strengthening of local monitoring and enforcement arms
rivers. to enforce compliance with water and sanitation-related
laws.
Table 14 summarizes the hindering and facilitating
32 factors impacting the WSS sector in SOCCSKSARGEN.
Table 14: Hindering and Facilitating Factors

Hindering Factors Facilitating Factors

Water Supply and Sanitation

Political intervention Evidence-based planning
Territorial turf attitude
Negative behaviors/attitudes
Poverty
Limited entrepreneurial understanding and skills
Water
Inadequate capacity of local planning bodies to come up with
Media intervention
comprehensive plans on WSS
Inadequate allocation for or lack of investments in water projects
Regional LGU consultations
at the local level
Limited funds and financing options Sustainability of WSS projects
Absence of a single agency to oversee WSS projects Partnership with LGU line agencies and beneficiaries

Planning and Absence of a regulatory and/or monitoring body re: groundwater extraction
Development Absence of a study on sustainability of groundwater extraction Formulation of convergence framework to address gaps
Limited policies governing planning and design Preparation of a WASH plan
Lack of bottom-up planning LCEs’ full support of the approval of MW4SP
Lack of updated provincial water supply and sanitation plans Consultations with grassroots communities
Lack of water sources PDIP/BDP/CLUP-based priority projects
WSS projects given least priority by LGUs Making CLUP mandatory for LGUs
Inadequate database Building goodwill with LGUs
Lack of strong and effective management/administration re: water
Financial assistance from LGUs to WDs
system projects
Active participation in LED projects
Sanitation
Absence of a single agency which oversees STP planning Intensified research and development efforts
Lack of technical staff/personnel who will prepare DEDs, STS and
POW
Water
Lack of subsidy from the national government Implementation of WSP projects
Poor security Outsourcing of funds
Lack of manpower in monitoring Intensified IEC campaigns
WSS not given top priority TESDA NC II
Lack of water sources
Absence of a database
Political interference
WASH programs not yet integrated
Service Provision
Viewing water and sanitation projects as undertakings that are not
interlinked
Lack of legislative support
Sanitation
ROW problems; inability of LGUs to issue excavation permits for
Increased access to toilet facilities
pipelines
Expensive treatment facilities Passing laws or ordinances on sanitation
Low level of awareness in rural communities of the importance of
Local NGOs adopting CLT5 Approach to reduce open defecation
sanitation
Sanitation not a priority among households
Accessibility concerns
Water
Noncompliance of WSPs with the Water Code of the Philippines Crafting and passing of local ordinances and national laws
Noncompliance with standard infrastructure plans Compliance with PNSDW 2017
High cost of water quality tests Strengthening linkages and partnerships
Noncompliance with regulations governing water permits Implementation of BWSA law
Illegal water drillers Increased private sector participation
Regulation Lack of awareness of Philippine laws related to water supply,
resources, etc.
Sanitation
Low penalty imposed on violators of the sanitation code Clarity re: classification of toilet facilities
Confusion re: definition of sanitation classification Information/education campaigns
Open defecation in rivers Integration of iWASH and local development plans
Illegal disposal particularly in domestic wastewater

33
 Regional Vision Strategic Framework
The creation of the strategic framework begins with the
determination of the issues, constraints and challenges of
“Full Access for All to Sustainable and Safe the WSS sector. The diagram on the right shows specific
Water Supply and Sanitation for a Climate- highlights and contrasts, pertaining to areas displaying
Resilient SOCCSKSARGEN” best practices and those needing improvement.
The figure shows strategic priorities for
SOCCSKSARGEN highlighting the provinces’ individual
The SOCCSKSARGEN WSS vision was crafted by the plans. Priority areas include health and research, water
visioning group with the goal of achieving universal and exploration, septage management, alliance building,
equitable access to safe and affordable water supply and capacity building, project development and politics.
sanitation by 2030. These priorities have been observed to be the major
In essence, safe water encompasses sanitation, areas of concern in relation to the provincial plans (as
rationalizing the necessity of improved water and discussed in “Issues, Constraints and Challenges”).
sanitation projects that will sustain adequate water Corresponding strategies were formulated to translate
supply, ensure its good quality and affordability, and the regional vision into specific approaches to get the
upgrade sanitation infrastructure. best results and achieve the region’s WSS targets. These
In keeping with this vision, key strategies and are the region’s general approaches applicable to urban
corresponding success indicators contributing towards and rural contexts of ensuring access to safe water and
the achievement of the overall sector vision were sanitation.
adopted, and key projects and programs were identified, A more detailed discussion with respect to achieving
including WSS targets which will adhere to the national increased access to potable water considering the
WSS targets that are in accord with the PDP and SDGs. various segments comprising the water utilities
(categorized as undeveloped/underdeveloped,
developing and developed) is shown in Table 15.

Table 15: Strategies in Achieving Increased Access to Potable Water

Segment Target Strategic Statement

Undeveloped/Underdeveloped
Level I Zero waterless barangays Government investment in the development of water supply
systems (WSS) to upgrade unsafe sources to safe sources
Reduction to 5% of unsafe sources of
water supply (2022) and universal Promoting water harvesting in far-flung areas
access to safe water (2030)

Level II Upgrade of Level II systems to Level Establishing WDs or LGU-led water utilities that can oper-
III ate commercially

Upgrading Level II systems to Level III

Creation of a body that provides technical and financial

assistance to barangay water associations and rural water-
works to upgrade their level of service

Developing
Water Districts Zero nonoperational WDs Prioritizing conversion of nonoperational to operational
(Categories C and D) WDs

Assisting low performing WDs in rehabilitation and expan-

sion works

Providing a window for low cost funds that can be accessed

by low performing WDs to expand coverage

Non-WDs (financially Organizing water utilities and allow- Allowing the commercialization of water utility operations;
struggling water utilities) ing them to operate commercially encouraging LGUs to establish WDs or similar local gov-
ernment corporations or economic enterprises
100% recovery of O&M cost

Developed

Level III 100% coverage of franchise area Increasing private sector participation
Ensuring the sustainability of opera- Ensuring a robust regulatory framework to balance the in-
tions of Level III systems terest of consumers and operators/WSPs
Continuing expansion programs to Encouraging business establishments and residential com-
ensure 100% coverage munities to embark on rainwater harvesting programs

34
Figure 17: SOCCSKSARGEN WSS Strategic Framework

35
 Access Targets for Water SOCCSKSARGEN strives to achieve 94% access to safe
water by 2022 and 100% by 2040. This means that more
Supply and Sanitation than 660,000 additional households will have access to
safe water by year 2040. Improved access to sanitation is
As experts knowledgeable in and thoroughly familiar with set at 83% for 2022 and universal access by 2030 and
the social and environmental conditions in their 2040.
respective provinces, the workshop participants were Figures 18 and 19 graph the targets for water supply and
given free rein in setting targets concerning water supply sanitation for 2022, 2030 and 2040.
and sanitation access (even as they were guided by the
prescribed goals).
Their targets were based on current and baseline data
(i.e., population growth rates, water resources availability,
topographical and geographical setting, etc.), the status
quo (funding constraints, political and cultural challenges,
etc.), and the realistic attainability of set targets.

Figure 18: Targeted Households with Access to Safe Water

Figure 19: Targeted Households with Access to Sanitation Facilities

36
 Water Supply Targets Sanitation Targets
COTABATO (NORTH COTABATO) COTABATO (NORTH COTABATO)
2022 2030 2040 2022 2030 2040
With Access 98.0% 100.0% 100.0% Improved 97.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Level III 42.0% 45.0% 100.0% Basic 3.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Level II 26.0% 29.0% 0.0% Shared/Communal/Limited 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Level I 30.0% 26.0% 0.0% Open Defecation 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
No Access 2.0% 0.0% 0.0% Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

SOUTH COTABATO (excluding GENERAL SANTOS CITY) SOUTH COTABATO (excluding GENERAL SANTOS CITY)
2022 2030 2040 2022 2030 2040
With Access 95.0% 100.0% 100.0% Improved 97.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Level III 45.0% 60.0% 100.0% Basic 3.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Level II 30.0% 35.0% 0.0% Shared/Communal/Limited 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Level I 20.0% 5.0% 0.0% Open Defecation 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
No Access* 5.0% 0.0% 0.0% Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

SULTAN KUDARAT SULTAN KUDARAT

2022 2030 2040 2022 2030 2040
With Access 74.0% 73.0% 100.0% Improved 97.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Level III 19.0% 19.0% 100.0% Basic 3.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Level II 10.0% 10.0% 0.0% Shared/Communal/Limited 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Level I 45.0% 44.0% 0.0% Open Defecation 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
No Access 26.0% 27.0% 0.0% Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

SARANGANI SARANGANI
2022 2030 2040 2022 2030 2040
With Access 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Improved 97.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Level III 20.0% 25.0% 100.0% Basic 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Level II 40.0% 45.0% 0.0% Shared/Communal/Limited 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Level I 40.0% 30.0% 0.0% Open Defecation 3.0% 0.0% 0.0%
No Access 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

GENERAL SANTOS CITY GENERAL SANTOS CITY

2022 2030 2040 2022 2030 2040
With Access 95.0% 100.0% 100.0% Improved 97.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Level III 55.0% 80.0% 100.0% Basic 3.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Level II 35.0% 20.0% 0.0% Shared/Communal/Limited 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Level I 5.0% 0.0% 0.0% Open Defecation 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
No Access 5.0% 0.0% 0.0% Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

COTABATO CITY COTABATO CITY

2022 2030 2040 2022 2030 2040
With Access 95.0% 100.0% 100.0% Improved 97.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Level III 65.0% 80.0% 100.0% Basic 3.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Level II 25.0% 20.0% 0.0% Shared/Communal/Limited 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Level I 5.0% 0.0% 0.0% Open Defecation 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
No Access 5.0% 0.0% 0.0% Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

SOCCSKSARGEN SOCCSKSARGEN
2022 2030 2040 2022 2030 2040
With Access 93.9% 95.6% 100.0% Improved 83.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Level III 41.0% 49.4% 100.0% Basic 5.4% 0.0% 0.0%
Level II 21.5% 26.7% 0.0% Shared/Communal/Limited 11.6% 0.0% 0.0%
Level I 31.4% 19.5% 0.0% Open Defecation 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
No Access 6.1% 4.4% 0.0% Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

37
 Strategic Interventions them adaptable to actual local conditions. (These are
discussed more thoroughly in the National Master Plan
After the regional planning and consultation workshop, a and may be adopted accordingly at the local level.)
working document detailing specific strategic Tables 16 and 17 show the specific strategic
interventions to improve water supply and sanitation interventions for water supply and sanitation,
access in Region XII was formulated. The participants respectively.
deliberated on these proposed interventions to make

Table 16: Proposed Strategic Interventions for Water Supply

Access to Safe Planning and Service

Regulation Promotion
Water Development Provision
95% Access to Planning, program or M&E expansion Water resources Willingness to connect
Safe Water in project design Rehabilitation/Non- protection and pay
2022 Establishing labs and revenue water (NRW) Arbitration Demand creation
water quality testing reduction maintained Environmental and
Universal Access
centers at 20% of total social safeguards
in 2030
Lobbying for the production Compliance with
Regional WSS Integration/ PNSDW 2017
Masterplan Amalgamation Close monitoring of
Automation Joint Agreement
Residuals Compliance training
management from DOH
Mitigation Resource studies
Water potability
maintained at all times
Providing 24/7 water
supply service
Achieving 100%
coverage
Residuals
management

Table 17: Proposed Strategic Interventions for Sanitation

Planning & Development Service Provision Regulation Promotions

Planning Operations Tariff/Pricing Social Preparation
Program or Project Design M&E Resource Advocacy
Access to
Institution Building Expansion Arbitration Demand Creation
Improved
Training Amalgamation Registration, Permits, Behavior Change
Sanitation
Financing Automation Rights
Climate/Disaster Resiliency
Policy
Medium Access Sustainable Sanitation Ensuring that the Computation of tariff Ensuring that
Plan (LSSP) to be sanitation program using full cost promotions focus on
Areas with 30% to
incorporated into the WSS focuses on recovery with infusion enjoining the public
59% Improved
Sector Plan, LDP, AIP, implementing of CapEx subsidy for to: have their septic
Sanitation and local health plan sewerage systems sewerage projects tanks desludged once
Coverage and completing SMP is in place; and
Planning and developing LGU implementers’
sewerage system program septage management compliance training know the importance
to provide service in urban programs given by DOH and of building the right
core; coordinating with Expanding to DENR (particularly re: septic tanks and the
those in charge of the urbanized and sewerage systems); benefits of good
septage management urbanizing barangays compliance with DA sanitation
program; projecting urban M&E system regulations/guidelines Introducing concepts
sprawl conforming to PSA/ on disposal of by- on Water Demand
Incorporating NSSMP census in place products Management
subsidy grant for (covered by Imposing strict Promotions to build
sewerage and septage sewerage systems, penalties on those buy-in for paying for
management programs desludged not complying, sanitation services
Planning for capacity households, on-site including LGUs/WDs,
development including systems) by filing cases with
septage and effluent Initiating sewerage the environmental
management system programs ombudsman
Passing a sanitation Imposing sanctions
ordinance covering on building officials
septage management who fail to regulate
services; possibly septic tanks not
integrating it with the compliant with code
environment code and standards
WQMA action plan

38
Physical Interventions
To meet the targets for access and coverage as well as
the normative content of water (service standards),
capital investments are necessary. The details of these
investments in 2022 and 2030 are listed in Table 18.

Table 18: Capital Investments Required to Meet Water Supply Targets

Service Level 2022 2030

Level III Water source assessment and development Water source assessment and development
Construction of water treatment facilities Construction of water treatment facilities
Distribution network expansion Distribution network expansion
Provision of service connections Provision of service connections
NRW reduction program NRW reduction program
Watershed and water resources protection, Watershed and water resources protection,
management and development management and development
Development of a Water Safety Program Development of a Water Safety Program
Adoption of a rainwater harvesting program Adoption of a rain water harvesting program
Establishment of adequately equipped laboratory Automation of operations and major services
testing centers in strategic areas to serve all
service levels clientele

Level II Rehabilitation of existing water supply system to Rehabilitation of water supply system to upgrade it
upgrade it to Level III to Level III
Level I Upgrading to “safe level” those water sources found Adoption of a rain water harvesting program in
“unsafe” areas not reached by Levels II and III services

Capital investments for the sanitation targets will include

basic sanitation programs, septage management
programs, and sewerage management programs.
Targets for 2022 will mainly focus on basic sanitation.
The septage and sewerage management programs are
to be undertaken to achieve 2030 targets, although these
programs may be implemented as early as 2022.

Nonphysical Interventions
To support the CapEx programs and ensure the efficient
operation of the newly constructed facilities, institutional
and regulatory reforms are to be undertaken (as shown in
Table 19).

Table 19: Institutional and Regulatory Reforms Required to Achieve Water Supply and Sanitation Goals

Items Undeveloped/Underdeveloped Developing Developed

LGUs will organize/establish WDs and LGU-run utilities will A system for independent
water utilities as commercial be motivated to improve their evaluation and due diligence
enterprises in their jurisdictions performance by offering them regarding public-private
Water Service or form a WD. incentives/rewards. partnership projects will be set
Provision up.
LGUs will create offices to
handle Level II and Level I
services.
An agency will be created to spearhead efforts to improve the WSS sector at the provincial level. The
Planning and provincial office shall coordinate development plans for water and sanitation of all municipalities in each
Development province, pursue efforts (in coordination with the DENR) in watershed rehabilitation, and provide training
programs to LGUs in water supply development and management.

Service standards for water supply and sanitation will be defined.

An independent group will be formed to monitor the performance of water and sanitation service providers,
Regulation other than the WDs, within each province. WDs will continue to be regulated by the LWUA. The monitoring
group could later be made part of a regulatory body.

39
LWUA Priority Projects
LWUA, 2018 Data

40
 Addressing the Gaps
Water Supply Investment Total expenses for establishing water quality testing
laboratories have also been taken into account. It is
Requirements assumed that one laboratory per province will be
constructed.

Physical Investments Table 21 shows a summary of the total investment

requirements of the region. (The detailed methodology of
To address WSS infrastructure gaps and fulfill specific
how the regional costs for Eastern Visayas were derived
targets and commitments for 2022 and 2030, the cost of
is referenced in Annex D of the main volume of the
infrastructure investments was derived based on
Philippine WSS Master Plan.)
anticipated demand. Such demand was based on
projected population, economic growth, as well as
factored-in investments to ensure the continuous delivery Nonphysical Investments
of WSS services provided by existing systems. The Institutional and regulatory reforms have to be pursued to
computation included the anticipated need to upgrade complement infrastructure development and ensure that
existing service levels (i.e., from Level II to Level III, Level water supply systems constructed will operate efficiently.
I to Level II or Level III). Costs of reform implementation have not been estimated
SOCCSKSARGEN requires total investments for at the regional level and are projected to be not
infrastructure development of about PhP6.3 billion and substantial compared to the infrastructure investments.
PhP12 billion to achieve 2022 and 2030 targets, LGUs, WDs, and other stakeholders are obligated to
respectively. Unit development costs employed to arrive influence decision makers to pursue relevant reforms in
at these sums are estimated at PhP35,800 per HH for the water sector. These reforms serve as non-
Level III, PhP21,000 for Level II, and PhP9,400 for Level infrastructure investments and typically include
I. organization/institutional development, regulatory
These rates are direct costs and cover water source strengthening, capacity building, and project
development, water treatment facilities, storage management.
requirements, transmission and distribution lines, and Proposed interventions include the following:
pumping requirements, and provision of service
connections.  The model of existing water utilities should be
Furthermore, these unit costs (determined to suit local identified in areas where there are no water
conditions in SOCCSKSARGEN) were derived by districts. The establishment of WDs should be
applying regional cost factors (with respect to labor, proposed in municipalities with a population of at
material, and equipment costs) to the computed least 20,000, subject to an agreement with the
development base costs for NCR. NCR values are local chief executives. If LGUs are not amenable to
pegged at PhP31,800 per HH for Level III, PhP18,700 for forming a WD, water utilities that can operate
Level II, and PhP8,400 for Level I. commercially (e.g., a similar local government
water corporation or economic enterprise) should
The cost deviations (from the NCR base rates) were be set up.
taken into account considering the region’s distinct
geographical, economical, and accessibility  Priority should be given to operationalizing
characteristics, and labor, material, and equipment costs, nonfunctional WDs, particularly those in
which are bound to affect the implementation costs of municipalities categorized as 3rd class and higher.
any project. The regionalization of costs ensures that
computed regional investment requirements for the  The target expansion of service coverage shall be
Master Plan and the Regional Roadmaps are as realistic conducted at the municipal level. Municipalities
as possible befitting each locale. with lower than 50% coverage will be given priority
in the investment program.
Aside from the direct costs, indirect costs were
considered in estimating the total investment The map on the left shows the five SOCCSKSARGEN
requirements. These items include project preparation LGUs where priority WD projects have been approved
and those pending approval for LWUA's financial
activities (which may affect budget considerations) before
assistance (FA). Projects in two LGUs in Cotabato have
actual construction work begins. Items considered and
been approved and those in three others are pending
percentage values used in relation to the total direct
approval, as of this writing.
costs computed are shown in Table 20.

Table 20: Indirect Costs Employed23

Water Supply
Contingency 10.0% Percentage of Total Direct Cost
Feasibility Study 3.0% Percentage of Total Direct Cost
Detailed Engineering Design 6.0% Percentage of Total Direct Cost
Construction Supervision 5.0% Percentage of Total Direct Cost
ROW/Land Acquisition 3.0% Percentage of Total Direct Cost
Organizational Cost/Permits 2.0% Percentage of Total Direct Cost
Capacity Development 33,350 1 Staff Employee per 100 HH (LWUA)

Table 21: Total Investment Costs for Water Supply Sector

Total Investment Cost Total Investment Cost
Province/City (in PhP Million) (in PhP Million)
2022 2030
Cotabato (North Cotabato) 1,524.24 2,585.76
South Cotabato 953.46 3,202.03
Sultan Kudarat 314.58 358.23
Sarangani 666.54 873.01 23
Based on industry standards
General Santos City 1,917.10 3,342.18
Cotabato City 960.06 1,648.71
Total 6,335.97 12,009.93 41
 Septage Treatment Plant Clustering

42
Sanitation Investment Nonphysical Investments
SOCCSKSARGEN, like other regions in the country, will
Requirements require substantial assistance from the national
government, or where technical and financial assistance
Physical Investments can be funneled. This will include an inventory or survey
and assessment of existing sanitation facilities, capacity
Basic Sanitation Program. The DOH plans to prescribe development for implementing local agencies (local
a national basic sanitation program for the entire country health office, environment and natural resources office,
– looking into a combination of microfinance and office of the building official, and general services office),
behavior change communication. A Department institutional, policy and regulatory environment
Administrative Order on standard septic tank use and development (which would require the involvement of
design will also be released by the DOH soon after capacitance support offices like the budget and
planned consultation activities have been rolled out in the treasurer’s office, bids and awards committee,
country’s three major island groups (Luzon, Visayas and commission on audit office, engineering office, office of
Mindanao). legal services/affairs, barangay affairs office, office of the
SOCCSKSARGEN will need about PhP4.06 billion for local chief executive, and the local legislative council).
basic sanitation from 2016 to 2022 to reach a target of Other nonstructural interventions that may require a
83%. budget include developing a monitoring and evaluation
This was derived by multiplying the unserved population (M&E) system to monitor progress, support planning, and
by the unit development costs with regard to establishing guide development training programs, promotional
specific on-site sanitation facilities. (An annex to this campaigns and other legislative advocacies, and initiate
report and the National Master Plan explains the unit hygiene promotion programs.
costs and derived costs for specific sanitation
interventions.)
Septage Management Program. A clustering
approach will be recommended to reduce capital costs
and attain economies of scale. The proposed clustering
per province is shown on the map on the left.
The region will need about PhP2.8 billion and PhP447
million for 2022 and 2030, respectively, for its septage
management program.
Sewerage System Program. Only General Santos City
will be required to plan and implement a sewerage
system for its urban core. However, rapidly urbanizing
cities (i.e., candidate HUCs) should also consider
planning for sewerage services in the interim
The indicative cost for sewerage was computed based on
the 50% coverage of the HUCs’ urban population only.
The unit cost was derived per the procedure applied to
septage management, wherein the unit cost was based
on the National Septage and Sewerage Master Plan
(NSSMP) estimations and later adjusted considering
other factors.
For sewerage services, General Santos City will require
PhP4.72 billion by 2022 and an additional PhP990 million
by 2030. The computational template provided for a 25%
coverage of sewerage services by 2022 and an
additional 25% coverage by 2030. This includes the city’s
incremental population from 2015 to 2022 and from 2023
to 2030.
Candidate HUCs in South Cotabato (e.g., Koronadal City
and Polomolok) and in Cotabato (e.g., cities of
Kidapawan, Midsayap, and Pikit) may be closely
examined initially as urbanization may set in more rapidly
in these places than in other towns such as Isulan in
Sultan Kudarat, and Glan and Marungon in Sarangani.

Table 22: Total Investment Costs for Sanitation Sector

Total Investment Cost Total Investment Cost

Province/City (in PhP Million) (in PhP Million)
2022 2030
Cotabato (North Cotabato) 11,103.27 2,066.74
South Cotabato 7,096.56 1,013.02
Sultan Kudarat 4,288.19 789.45
Sarangani 4,167.18 525.78
General Santos City 9,597.78 2,168.34
Cotabato City 3,255.22 1,836.08
Total 39,508.20 8,399.42

43
 Proposed Projects and Programs
A list of projects and investment programs has been developed during the regional planning
workshop to assess the current state of the WSS sector and propose projects to increase
access to and upgrade water supply and sanitation facilities at the provincial or regional level.
The DILG, DENR River Basin Control Office (RBCO) and LWUA have proposed projects in
the WSS sector in addition to those discussed and agreed on at the regional workshop.
This list of projects does not cover only infrastructure projects, but also nonphysical
investment requirements, such as capacity development programs, information dissemination
campaigns, and watershed management plans. These projects run the gamut from
conception, proposal, pre-feasibility and feasibility study stages, detailed engineering design,
to pre-procurement and procurement. Figure 20 shows the distribution of the investment
requirement per province and HUC. Based on the proposed projects and programs, the region
needs PhP1.76 billion to boost its WSS sector. Figure 20: Distribution of Investment Requirement per
Province/City

Cotabato (North Cotabato)

Budget Budget Total Budget
HH Beneficiaries
Water Supply Period Requirement Sanitation Period Requirement Requirement
(2022)
(in PhP Million) (in PhP Million) (in PhP Million)
Metro Cotabato WD Cluster Septage Management
Project Phases 1 & 2 (Phase 1 covering Cotabato
1 Metro Cotabato WD Expansion (New Source) Medium Term 0.75 1 Long Term 0.42
City and Phase 2 covering Datu Odin Sinsuat and
Sultan Kudarat)
Preparation of plans, design, documents and Construction of a septage treatment plant; signing a
2 Short Term 10.00 2 Long Term 91.00
permits memorandum of agreement with stakeholders

3 Expansion of pipe laying projects Long Term 50.00 3 Orientation on CLTS Short Term 0.12

4 Replacement of pipe laying projects Long Term 150.00 4 Intensification of IEC program Short Term 0.05

TOTAL 210.75 Total 91.59

Budget
Water Supply and Sanitation Period Requirement 409.14 374,595
(in PhP Million)
Orientation/briefing on WASH program in cities &
1 Short Term 2.80
municipalities; Formulate local WASH plans
Installation of water distribution lines & household
connections; intensive IEC campaigns; delineation
of critical areas for reforestation and rehabilitation;
2 Long Term 64.00
crafting of ordinance; construction and operation of
septage treatment facility; conduct of research
studies re: water supply and sanitation
Conduct of research studies re: water supply and
3 Short Term 40.00
sanitation

Total 106.80

South Cotabato
Budget Budget Total Budget
HH Beneficiaries
Water Supply Period Requirement Water Supply Period Requirement Requirement
(2022)
(in PhP Million) (in PhP Million) (in PhP Million)
Construction of water supply systems (Level I and
1 Medium Term 60.00 1 IEC/advocacy campaigns Short Term -
II) in rural areas
Provision of financial & material assistance to Construction of wastewater treatment facilities in
2 Medium Term 160.00 2 Short Term -
barangay water system projects every city/municipal public market
Construction/Expansion of waterworks system Construction of septage treatment facilities in the
3 Medium Term 10.00 3 Medium Term -
(Level III) in all barangays cities of Koronadal, Polomolok and Surallah
Construction of water analysis and testing center/
IEC symposia in every barangay (re: proper design
4 laboratory; procurement of additional laboratory Short Term 5.00 4 Medium Term -
of septic tanks)
facilities
Installation of drinking fountains in public parks,
5 Short Term 1.00 Total 0.00
markets and terminals
Creation and operationalization of Local Drinking
6 Short Term -
Water Quality Monitoring Committee
236.00 247,765
Creation and operationalization of the RWSPDR
7 Long Term -
Council
Creation of plantilla positions and hiring of
8 Short Term -
personnel for water analysis services
Reorganization and capacity development of
9 BWSA officers and personnel (i.e. management & Short Term -
maintenance)
Tree growing activities; development of eco-friendly
10 Long Term -
open spaces; Adopt-a-Watershed Project
Conduct of water conservation advocacy
11 Long Term -
orientations/symposia in every barangay

Total 236.00

44
 General Santos City
Budget Budget Total Budget
HH Beneficiaries
Water Supply Period Requirement Sanitation Period Requirement Requirement
(2022)
(in PhP Million) (in PhP Million) (in PhP Million)
Formulation of a water safety plan and technical
Reactivation of SWMB to address wastewater
1 evaluation of existing water distribution networks of Short Term - 1 Short Term -
management issues
RWSAs
Formulation of TOR for EMB grant fund for septage
Total 0.00 2 Short Term -
FS (updating)
Total 0.00
Budget
Water Supply and Sanitation Period Requirement
0.00 171,873
(in PhP Million)
Creation of TWG (CPDO, CMO IBA,
1 Short Term -
WMO,CHO,GSCWD and USAID-SURGE)
2 Distribution of promotional materials Short Term -
PMS (pre-membership seminars), consultative
3 Short Term -
meetings, RWSAs annual summit
Total 0.00

Sultan Kudarat
Budget Budget Total Budget
HH Beneficiaries
Water Supply Period Requirement Sanitation Period Requirement Requirement
(2022)
(in PhP Million) (in PhP Million) (in PhP Million)
Expansion of Level 3 water system, Poblacion,
1 Medium Term 12.00 1 Construction of a mechanized septage facility Medium Term -
Pres. Quirino
2 Water source development Medium Term 13.00 2 Installation of sanitary toilets (water sealed) Short Term -
Installation of water system Level 3 in Barangays
3 Short Term 12.00 3 Procurement of concrete toilet bowls Short Term -
Upper Katungal & Baras, Tacurong City
Establishment of Level 2 water system, Province- Construction of gender-sensitive comfort rooms in
4 Short Term - 4 Short Term -
wide elementary and high schools, and day-care centers
Repair/Rehab of Level 2 water system throughout
5 Short Term - Total 0.00
the province
60.36 206,059
Construction of Level 2 water system in Kabulnan,
6 Medium Term 12.00
Bagumbayan
Installation/Construction/Repair ( Level 1 and Level
7 Medium Term 7.20
2 water system )
Construction of handwashing facilities (public elem.
8 Short Term 2.16
and high schools, day-care centers )
Construction of provincial water analysis laboratory
9 Short Term 2.00
(re: bacteriological tests)
Total 60.36

Cotabato City
Budget Budget Total Budget
HH Beneficiaries
Water Supply Period Requirement Sanitation Period Requirement Requirement
(2022)
(in PhP Million) (in PhP Million) (in PhP Million)
Construction of a septage treatment plant; entering
Salintubig - Preparation of plans, design,
1 Short Term 10.00 1 into a memorandum of agreement with Medium Term 91.00
documents and permits
stakeholders
Expansion of pipe laying projects (bidding &
2 Long Term 50.00 Total 91.00
procurement)
3 Pipe replacement Long Term 150.00
Formulation of a Cotabato City Drainage Master 1,051.00 206,059
4 Short Term 50.00
Development Plan
Formulation of a five-year water efficiency and
5 Medium Term 500.00
public information program
6 Tapping new sources of water Short Term 200.00

Total 960.00

45
AM, Salintubig Pipeline WSS Projects
DILG-WSSPMO, 2019 List of DILG Projects

46
Identified Priority Projects (2019-2020)
The table below show the priority projects identified by LWUA and DILG for 2019-2020.
The map on the left shows the various barangays and municipalities to be covered by
DILG’s Assistance to Municipalities (AM) and Salintubig Projects in 2019.

Assistance To Municipalities (2019)

Amount
Province Municipality Project Title
(in PhP Million)
Cotabato Alamada Expansion Of Level 3 Water System 4.63
Cotabato Alamada New Construction Of Level 2 Potable Water Supply System 1.31
Cotabato Arakan Rehabilitation/Improvement Of Level 2 Water System 6.77
New Construction Of Level 2 Potable Water Supply System In
Cotabato Carmen 2.00
Barangay Langogan
New Construction Of Level 2 Potable Water Supply System In
Cotabato Carmen 2.30
Barangay Kimadzil
New Construction Of Level 2 Potable Water Supply System In
Cotabato Carmen 2.29
Barangay Tupig
Cotabato Midsayap Expansion Of Level 2 Potable Water System 0.91
Rehabilitation/Improvement Of Level 2 Water System In Luma,
Sarangani Kiamba 2.85
Lebe
Rehabilitation/Improvement Of Level 2 Water System In Tablao,
Sarangani Kiamba 7.70
Salakit
South Cotabato Tampakan Expansion Of Potable Water System In Barangay Maltana 1.52
Construction Of Potable Water Supply System In Barangay
South Cotabato Tampakan 2.50
Danlag
Construction Of Potable Water Supply System In Barangay Palo
South Cotabato Tampakan 1.40
19
South Cotabato T'boli Improvement Of Level 3 Water System 2.00
Total 38.18

SALINTUBIG (2019)
Amount
Province Municipality Project
(in PhP Million)
Cotabato Aleosan Potable water supply 10.00
Cotabato Carmen Potable water supply 6.00
Potable water supply (Pisan, Bangilan, Simbuhay,Dagupan,
Cotabato Kabacan 10.00
Sanggadong, Malanduague, Upper Paatan, Bangilan, Bannawag)
Cotabato Midsayap Potable water supply 12.30
Cotabato Pikit Potable water supply 8.25
Cotabato President Roxas Potable water supply 20.00
Cotabato Tulunan Potable water supply (Bacong,New Culasi,Nabundasan,Tambac) 10.00
Sarangani Alabel Potable water supply (Paraiso) 2.00
Potable water supply (Nalus, Luma, Maligang, Gasi, Tamadang,
Sarangani Kiamba 6.00
Katubao and Datu Dani)
Sarangani Maitum Potable water supply (Bati-An) 2.00
Sarangani Malapatan Potable water supply (Kinam) 2.00
South Cotabato Lake Sebu Potable water system 16.00
Sultan Kudarat Palimbang Provision of potable water system Level 2 3.00
Total 107.55

LWUA (2017-2018)
Amount
Province Municipality Project - Status
(in PhP Million)
Cotabato Aleosan WD Expansion/Improvement - Awaiting docs from WD 20.00
Cotabato Metro Kidapawan WD Expansion/Improvement - Approved Feb. 14, 2018 100.00
Cotabato Metro Midsayap WD Admin Bldg - Approved Jan 24, 2018 10.00
South Cotabato Polomolok WD Expansion/Improvement - Awaiting docs from WD 110.00
South Cotabato Santo Niño WD Expansion/Improvement - Awaiting docs from WD 19.65
Total 259.65

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 Appendix A: Provincial and HUC Profiles

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