Iloilo: Ilonggos are encouraged to sustain their gains and share their sanitation experience with other communities in the country. World Health Organization (WHO) Philippines Deputy Head Olivia Lawe-Davies, in her keynote address during the Philippine Approach to Sustainable Sanitation (PHATSS) Biyaheng Grade 2 (G2) Para sa Limpyo Iloilo Summit, emphasized the importance of local action in addressing the country's sanitation challenges.
According to Philippines News Agency, Lawe-Davies highlighted that as of 2024, approximately 85 percent of Filipinos have access to basic sanitation, yet over 17 million still lack it. She underscored the significance of the PHATSS G2 Program, which provides a framework for translating sustainable sanitation goals into real change at the community level.
For WHO, sanitation is fundamentally a public health issue. Safe water, proper sanitation, good hygiene, and clean environments help prevent disease and create healthier communities. Ensuring these gains means continuous integration of sanitation into local governance, planning, financing, and monitoring.
Lawe-Davies also stressed the need to ensure progress reaches community members who continue to face barriers. She urged Iloilo to share its experiences, as its lessons can inspire other provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays across the Philippines.
Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) head Maria Socorro Qui±on stated that the summit recognized 45 barangays from 12 local government units in the province that passed the PHATSS G2 certification. The G2 status mandates sustained proper sanitation, ensuring no open defecation and proper sanitation facilities in public areas.
IPHO Health Officer Rodney Labis noted that barangays are encouraged to embrace the program, having witnessed improvements in environmental and health indicators. These include better solid waste management, a reduction in diarrheal and dengue cases, and improved nutritional status of children.
The recognized barangays received PHP10,000 each as an incentive, with 15 awardees from the town of Lambunao. Lambunao Vice Mayor Arvin Losaria highlighted the municipality's direct participation and collaboration with the provincial government to support the initiative. The provincial government allocates PHP5 million annually for toilet bowls and construction materials and more than PHP10 million for establishing public toilet facilities that comply with Department of Health standards.
