Real Impact: Be Secure - Water Security for Resilient Economic Growth and Stability

The Philippines has emerged as one of the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia, with GDP growth averaging 6 percent between 2010 and 2016. Despite the growth, poverty still persists, exacerbated by 15 million Filipinos lacking access to clean water, and 26.5 million with little or no access to sanitation facilities.

Much of the population is vulnerable to changing weather patterns that include less rain, longer dry seasons, increased flooding, and more violent storms. Further complicating the situation are the approximately 20 typhoons that hit the country annually.

Responding to these challenges, USAID’s Water Security for Resilient Economic Growth and Stability (Be Secure) Project works in six selected sites to increase sustainable access to water and wastewater treatment services and resilience to water stress and extreme weather.