MANILA, Philippines – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will be allocating almost USD20 million (PHP 1.15 billion) to support projects that aim to rehabilitate and to prevent waste leakage into the Pasig River.
This was announced by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Reducing Waste Leakage to River Systems in the Philippines, and three Judicial Treaties, at the sidelines of the World Government Summit 2025 held in Dubai recently.
The MOU was signed by Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga and by Erth Zayed Philanthropies Director-General of the Clean Rivers Foundation, Abdullah Al Qubaisi. The signing was witnessed by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and by Clean Rivers Chairman Saeed Al Zaabi, the DFA stated in a news release.
As per the Clean River’s Linkedin post, the UAE-based non-profit organization Clean Rivers Ltd. is committing up to USD20 million to projects that support the rehabilitation and prevention of waste leakage into the Pasig River, the DFA added.
According to the DFA, the agreement will provide the framework for projects that support the improvement of the Pasig River and prevent waste from leaking into it, which will also promote the preservation of the river ecosystem, enhancing economic opportunities and advance tourism activities.
It also expands the partnership between the Philippines and the UAE to areas that will prioritize the preservation and enhancement of the environment towards securing a sustainable future, the DFA mentioned.
Meanwhile, the three Judicial Treaties signed by the Philippines and the UAE are the following: Treaty on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons; Treaty on Extradition; and the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters.
The treaties were signed by Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla and UAE Minister of Justice Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, the DFA confirmed.
Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso A. Ver noted that the signing of the agreements is a testament to the flourishing relationship between the Philippines and the UAE.
“The agreements signed today will further strengthen our engagements with the UAE in fields that will mutually benefit our countries and peoples,” Ambassador Ver said.
“I look forward to promoting closer and stronger cooperation with the UAE that is built on the enduring bond of our bilateral relations,” Ambassador Ver added.
