Representatives from the Bohol water service providers together with key members of the Bohol Integrated Water Resources Management Team, GTZ Water and Sanitation Program and the National Water Resources Board got together in a one-day focus group discussion to share updates on national initiatives in the water supply sector particularly the Philippine Water Supply Sector Roadmap.

Local priorities in light of these national initiatives were discussed, such as facilitating support to the identified ‘waterless’ communities in Bohol, i.e. capacity building for waterless LGUs to access the NAPC-led President’s Priority Program on Water, and how these can be incorporated in the PWSS Roadmap The roles of local government units in facilitating the delivery of water supply services were also examined. There is recognition that without policy support from local government, small water service providers in Bohol are overtaken by the individual utility’s weaknesses (relating to its performance and sustainability). Capital expenditure, disbursed from the 20% development fund of the IRA, for water supply especially in waterless communities is needed from local government. Bohol water service providers also give importance to the water treatment needs of their facilities to ensure the provision of safe and potable water. This is understandable given the prevalence of groundwater contamination from poor sanitation facilities and lack of wastewater treatment system. Discussion on this topic centered on appropriate knowledge for small WSPs about water treatment and where technical and financial assistance can be sought.