A ₱1.9 billion financing deal with Hungary aimed at upgrading water treatment and desalination systems is nearing completion, according to Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri.
Zubiri said the proposed $33-million loan was discussed during the courtesy call of László Kövér, Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly, to Senate President Vicente Sotto III at the Senate on October 15.
He said the financing is intended to support major water infrastructure projects, including water treatment and desalination facilities, with a focus on areas where access to clean and reliable freshwater remains limited, particularly in coastal and provincial communities.
Zubiri said the initiative is expected to address persistent water access challenges by pairing financing with Hungary’s technical expertise and long experience in water management. He noted that such expertise is increasingly important as climate-related pressures place added strain on water supply systems.
He added that international partnerships like this allow the Philippines to benefit not only from funding but also from technology transfer and institutional knowledge, helping ensure that infrastructure projects are better designed, implemented, and sustained over the long term.
Zubiri said that once finalized, the loan would support the government’s broader push to modernize aging water systems and expand access to safe and potable water nationwide. He said improved water infrastructure remains critical to public health, local development, and climate resilience, especially in provinces that continue to rely on outdated or inadequate facilities.
Sotto, meanwhile, said the Philippines values Hungary’s continued cooperation in multilateral and international engagements. He expressed appreciation for Hungary’s support for the country’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2027–2028 term, describing Hungary as a long-standing and reliable partner.
