Characterizing local water governance structure in the Philippines: results of the water managers’ 2013 survey

ABSTRACT

This paper provides an empirical basis for local water-governance reforms in the Philippines using primary data from 299 water managers representing water districts, community-based water organizations, irrigators’ associations and local government water providers. Survey results showed that local water organizations are subject to various forms of laws and regulations; there are no set bases for water price determination; and water administration set-up varies from the formal to the loosely informal structures. Recommendations are offered towards responsive local water governance arrangements.

KEYWORDS:

• Water governance
• water district
• local water organizations
• Philippines

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the research assistance of Aira Mendoza, Juan Fidel Rodriguez and Leendel Punzalan of the University of the Philippines Los Banos; Teresita Espinosa of the University of the Philippines Visayas; and Maria Consuelo C. Doble of the University of the Philippines Baguio.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Emerging Interdisciplinary Research Program of the University of the Philippines System [grant number OVPAA – EIDR Code 2-003-121010].