Manila Water and BPI Foundation are set to provide P1.5-M for the recovery and improvement of water supply in the Dinagat Islands, which was ravaged by Typhoon Odette in 2021.
As part of its corporate social responsibility to bring Manila Water’s water and sanitation expertise to marginalized communities beyond its concession areas through its Water Access, Sanitation and Hygiene education (WASH) for waterless and toilet-less communities in the Philippines, Manila Water Foundation started the year by embarking on a P1.5-M water supply recovery and improvement project in San Jose, Dinagat Islands, in partnership with BPI Foundation (BPIF).
Aligned with the “Build Back Better” principle, the project intends to strengthen and improve the water access of 3,000 households being served by the San Jose Dinagat Island Water District (SJDIWD), whose water facilities were damaged by Typhoon Odette in 2021.
The project started last year, with MWF and BPIF providing two water chlorinators in September 2022 to automate the water disinfection process by the water district. Two capacity training were also conducted by technical volunteers from Manila Water and were attended by the SJDIWD technical teams. These include proper chlorine handling and safety as well as an Operations and Maintenance Training on the proper use of the water chlorinator.
Manila Water Foundation and a team of WASH technical volunteers are set to return to the island this month to provide additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to SJDIWD and proceed with the network assessment to ensure clean and potable water for the communities in Dinagat Islands.
Aside from volunteers in Dinagat Islands, MWF and BPIF also brought its efforts to the fisherfolk communities in Cardona, Rizal, with BPIF extending its expertise in financial empowerment through a Financial Wellness Workshop.
Fisherfolk listened to talks on Financial Investments, Savings Management, and Responsible Loans. The workshop is part of a series of capacity building activities for the community to solve community issues which include livelihoods and the management of the water hyacinth – the biggest challenge in fishing.
To cap off the session, the attendees received personal care and hygiene items from the Manila Water Foundation through the support of PHILUSA Corporation.to ensure the health and sanitation of families and communities.
“Ang diskusyon sa Wise Savings ang pinakatumatak sa akin na kailangan mag-save at mag-set ng goals o magkaroon ng smart goal sa paghawak ng ating pera. Wish ko po na magkaroon pa ng maraming workshops na kagaya nito dahil makatutulong ang mga ganitong klaseng talakayan hindi lang sa pansarili kung hindi pati na sa mga samahan,” says Dixie Jane Campo, Treasurer of Barangay Patunhay, Cardona and also one of the fisherfolk in attendance.
In November last year, MWF donated fishing boats and gears to the Cardona fisherfolk community to support their livelihood and facilitated a community visioning activity to map out and prioritize the societal issues and gaps that need solutions through WASH and environmental sustainability projects.
