This project is by far the largest of water quality related projects by JICA and it is the first of its kind, since provides upstream service including policies for development on water quality issues.

The project purpose is to strengthen capabilities of Central and Regional Offices (CO and ROs) of Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to implement priority actions mandated by the Clean Water Act and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (CWA/IRR).

The above mentioned purposes are achieved through:

• Establishing an integrated policy framework for WQM based on the CWA supported by adequate procedural guidelines and training for EMB staff;
• Strengthening capacity of EMB CO to lead and support the ROs;
• Strengthening capability of EMB ROs to establish and support Water Quality Management Areas (WQMA) and related institutions in 3 pilot regions; and
• Strengthening overall capability of EMB ROs in water quality management in 3 pilot regions.