Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri announced that the Philippines and Hungary are close to finalizing a $33-million (around ₱1.9 billion) loan agreement that will fund water treatment and desalination projects across the country.
The announcement was made during the visit of Hungarian National Assembly Speaker László Kövér to the Senate, where he met with Zubiri and Senate President Vicente Tito Sotto. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations and advancing cooperation in water management and sustainable infrastructure.
Kövér said through an interpreter that the agreement is in its final stages, awaiting the Philippine government’s formal response. “We are talking about a loan project worth $33 million, and the funds are to be used for water treatment, water cleaning, and desalination,” he said.
Zubiri said the project will focus on improving access to clean water in coastal and rural communities that continue to face shortages. He emphasized that the deal would help provide long-term infrastructure support to areas suffering from limited freshwater sources. “This project is very important because it will bring real solutions to local water access, especially in coastal areas where freshwater is limited,” Zubiri said.
The proposed loan will be extended by Hungary through its official development assistance program. The funds will be used to establish and upgrade water facilities capable of purifying, treating, and desalinating seawater. Hungarian experts are also expected to provide technical assistance and equipment for the projects.
Senate President Sotto welcomed the plan, noting that desalination offers a practical approach for an archipelagic country like the Philippines. “In the Philippines, we have an abundance of saltwater. We welcome Hungary’s proposal to help us build desalination plants,” Sotto said.
Zubiri added that Hungary has more than a century of experience in water management, flood control, and wastewater treatment. He said this partnership could significantly contribute to improving the Philippines’ infrastructure and water security.
Both countries are expected to complete the legal and technical review of the draft agreement in the coming weeks. Once signed, the deal will pave the way for project implementation and the construction of facilities in water-scarce regions.
The water project is part of broader cooperation efforts between the Philippines and Hungary, which also include collaboration in agriculture, education, and disaster management. Hungarian officials expressed interest in expanding these partnerships to include renewable energy and environmental protection initiatives.
The $33-million loan agreement is expected to help address recurring water shortages in several parts of the country and ensure a stable supply of clean, safe water for Filipino households and communities.
