Water is one of the most important substances on earth. It is a lifeline that bathes and feeds human beings.

Likewise, having safe drinking water is very essential to humans and other life forms.

Data from Listahanan or the National Household Targeting for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development reveals that 2.5 million identified poor households still lack access to safe water and adequate sanitation.

In Bicol, there are about 187, 673 poor Bicolanos experience these dilemma.

The provinces of Masbate, Camarines Sur and Albay posted the highest incidences of households with no access to safe water and have unsanitary practices.

Listahanan, the department’s targeting system that identifies who and where the poor are also shows that 30 % poor Bicolanos get their main source of drinking water from dug well. These are commonly seen in rural areas particularly in Masbate.

To address this issue, the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), has served 260 barangays across the region with potable water facilities.

KALAHI-CIDSS is one of the poverty alleviation of DSWD which uses community driven development (CDD) approach. The program strongly advocates community involvement in the design and implementation of the projects.###