Roundtable Discussion on the Philippine Water Sector Policy Note with DEPDev

Date and time: August 19, 2025, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Venue: Legazpi Room, First Maritime Place, 7458 Bagtikan Street, Makati, 12242, Philippines
Host: Dutch Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (DCCP)
Featured resource person: Asec. Roderick M. Planta, Infrastructure Development Office, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev)

Overview

Water touches growth, health, and disaster resilience in the Philippines. Yet responsibilities are fragmented across many agencies, which slows planning and weakens service quality. DEPDev has issued a policy note that recommends the creation of a Department of Water Resources and a Water Regulatory Commission, with the goal of unifying policy, clarifying regulation, and raising performance. This roundtable examines the note’s key points, current gaps in governance, and the role that private partners can play in moving reforms from paper to practice.

What you will learn

• How the proposed Department of Water Resources would align strategy, planning, and investment
• How a Water Regulatory Commission could improve tariff setting, service standards, and compliance
• Where governance fragmentation creates bottlenecks, and how to fix them
• Which projects and financing structures can accelerate safe, affordable, climate smart water services
• How companies can engage constructively with government, utilities, and local stakeholders

Who should attend

Utilities and water districts, engineering and consulting firms, technology providers, PPP developers, financiers, LGUs, development partners, and civil society groups focused on service delivery and resilience.

Speakers

• Opening remarks: Mitchel Smolders, Executive Director, DCCP
• Word of welcome and cooperation highlight: PTC’s role in Philippine cooperation on the water sector
• Policy Note update: Asec. Roderick M. Planta, DEPDev
  • Focus on water as a resource, governance challenges, upcoming government projects, and updates on the Department of Water Bill

Program at a glance

• 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM: Registration and walk in
• 2:30 PM to 2:35 PM: Opening remarks, Mitchel Smolders
• 2:35 PM to 2:40 PM: Word of welcome and cooperation highlight, PTC
• 2:40 PM to 3:00 PM: Policy Note on the Philippine water sector, Asec. Roderick M. Planta
• 3:00 PM to 3:10 PM: Open forum 1
• 3:10 PM to 3:15 PM: Transition
• 3:15 PM to 3:30 PM: Networking

Registration and access

Attendance policies and capacity are set by the organizers. Secure your place through the official registration page. Bring a valid ID for venue access. For coordination questions, contact the DCCP secretariat.