The national government and the Provincial Government of Manabí have signed two cooperation agreements aimed at improving water management in the province. The agreements, formalized on March 4, 2026, in Portoviejo, involve the Ministry of Environment and Energy through its Zonal Directorate 4.
Freddy Muñoz, Vice Minister of Water, led the signing and emphasized that these agreements will help coordinate institutional efforts, share technical information, prioritize projects, and set up effective monitoring mechanisms. He stated: “This instrument will allow us to align institutional efforts, share technical information, prioritize projects and establish effective monitoring mechanisms, with special emphasis on strengthening the Portoviejo River Basin Council in order to guarantee permanent management with clear planning, defined goals and decisions based on technical information and territorial reality.”
The framework agreement provides an institutional basis for provincial water governance under an Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach. It covers integration of water and environmental planning; preparation of diagnostics for prioritized basins; development of project profiles; monitoring work plans; and assigning technical responsibilities. The agreement is valid for three years and is expected to benefit about 1.58 million people across Manabí.
A second agreement focuses specifically on the Portoviejo River basin. Its aim is to strengthen the operation of the Basin Council and its Technical Secretariat. Key components include ongoing inter-institutional coordination; creation of a baseline diagnosis; development of a management plan with goals and indicators; coordination on water balances, infrastructure, and environmental planning; sustainable financing strategies including water funds and cooperation; joint processes within the basin; as well as designating technical and legal focal points. This agreement also lasts three years and is projected to benefit around 720,000 residents within the Portoviejo River basin area.
According to officials involved in the process: “With the signing of these agreements, the National Government strengthens water governance, consolidates an operationally structured Basin Council, promotes evidence-based planning and reinforces integration between environmental, water resource management and territorial administration while laying foundations for sustainable financing benefiting Manabí’s population.”
