Project assistance completion report : rural water supply and sanitation project (project no. 492-0401)

The implementing agency was the Department of Local Government (DLG). The project was originally planned to have four major components (institution building, community development, water system construction, and health and sanitation) as well as a financial and socioeconomic study. However, only the institution building component and the financial/socioeconomic study were undertaken due to the substantial reduction of the project in 6/89. This reduction was mainly the result of a change in the DLG's responsibilities, which eliminated all but the DLG institution building component; the very slow disbursement of funds and the host country failure to meet conditions precedent were contributing factors. The strategy of the reduced project was to strengthen the ability of the DLG's Project Management Office (PMO) to train LGU trainers, who, in turn, would train local communities and water user associations in WS&S system development and construction. Contractor-provided training was the major thrust of this institution-building effort. PMO training activities focused on training techniques, training materials development, program management, and community organization and development methods -- the areas of greatest need; 103 modules were developed in these areas. PMO staff gained considerable theoretical and practical skills while developing and field testing these materials; as a result, they are now able to provide technical support and training to LGUs and water users associations in water systems development. Currently, the DLG is in the process of converting the PMO into a permanent program management unit with the Office of Program Development Services. This will be a major step towards the development of a long-term program-oriented strategy as opposed to the short-term individual project approach that was the cause of the lack of continuity and sustainability in the rural WS&S sector. The PMO is now responsible for developing supplementary water supply programs funded by other foreign donors, and for coordinating with other national government agencies implementing water supply projects such as the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DISH). As mandated by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), DLG, through the PMO, is providing TA to these agencies in the areas of community development, organization, and training.