Improving access to drinking water and basic sanitation for the rural community of Agusán del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines.

  • Country: Philippines.
  • Location: Barangay Oro, Municipality of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, Mindanao.
  • Duration: December 2017 to November 2018.
  • Participants: 580 people will participate in the project. In addition, 1,931 people, who make up the population of Barangay Oro, will be indirect beneficiaries.
  • Area of Specialization: Rural Market Development, Microentrepreneurship Training, Microfinance Services.

Starting point

In the municipality of Esperanza, Philippines, the population is primarily engaged in subsistence farming, and 49% live in poverty. Furthermore, 15% of households lack access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation systems, resulting in poor health and hygiene conditions in the community. This situation is exacerbated by frequent natural disasters, such as heavy rains and floods, alternating with long periods of drought.

This situation occurs for various reasons:

  • Poor functioning and poor condition of existing community water equipment.
  • Weak monitoring and enforcement of the legal framework for the provision of water and sanitation services to the population.
  • Insufficient public support and investment for the provision of safe water in rural areas.

Objective

Provide safe access to drinking water and improve basic sanitation for families in Barangay Oro. Additionally, local government will be strengthened to manage water systems.

What is the project about

This project will involve the construction of a new water infrastructure system. This will be achieved by creating a water collection point from the high-altitude drinking water spring and a pipeline that will allow safe access, even in the event of natural disasters such as flooding. Technical assistance will be provided for both construction and subsequent management, promoting public participation in the process.

Furthermore, the local government’s capacity will be strengthened to improve the quality and sustainability of service delivery; the proper implementation of existing sanitation ordinances will be implemented to improve incentive, contribution, and penalty systems; and the process to ensure their maintenance.

Finally, the population will be raised on hygiene issues to improve primary health care practices.

Entities that support this project