The utilities of water and electricity are fundamental for the development of modern societies and are a prerequisite for effective poverty eradication and to meeting many of the other Millennium Development Goals. Many developing countries are not yet able to provide equitable, reliable, universal access to water, sanitation and electricity. Management and staff capacity to respond to changing needs and to address reform rapidly and effectively can be strengthened through improved social dialogue.

The overall aim of the Action Programme on Strengthening Utilites is to assist the governments and the social partners of the participating countries in developing joint strategies and actions to extend and improve the efficiency of the public utility services. The major means of action will be facilitation and capacity building to strengthen social dialogue mechanisms at the enterprise level in selected developing countries including the Philippines.