The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), in collaboration with Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), Waves for Water Organization Inc. (W4W Philippines), and Rotaract Club of Makati expanded its Clean Water Access Project in Presentacion, Camarines Sur from May 13, 2024 to May 16, 2024.

This initiative aims to provide free access to clean water to communities in Bicol Region.

As part of the project, 210 households in four (4) barangays of Presentacion specifically, 27 households in Bantugan, 64 households in Bitaogan, 50 households in Bulalacao, and 69 households in Lidong received water bucket filters which they can use for about five (5) to ten (10) years to enhance the accessibility and reliability of clean water supply in the area.

The project was first conducted in Donsol, Sorsogon last January wherein five (5) barangays benefited from the filtration systems provided by partner organizations.

Prior the conduct of the project, KALAHI-CIDSS conducted a needs assessment of existing water sources and water access practices in the targeted communities.

Regional Director Norman S. Laurio shared that Department assists communities to access possible initiatives and funding for the implementation of community-identified interventions through partnership with government agencies, non-government organizations, and private sector.

“Through Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach, KALAHI-CIDSS capacitates communities to participate in identifying and addressing their needs as well as ensuring that the interventions are sustainable,” he explained.

Marife Lagatic, a resident of Barangay Lidong, expressed her gratitude to DSWD and partners for the water filtration bucket provided.

“Laking pasasalamat ko sa nag-provide at sa nagbigay ng water system na ito, kasi ito ang pinakaimportante na kinakailangan dito sa aming barangay kasi dahil sa nagkakaroon ng diarrhea,” she said.

(Huge thanks to the organizations who provided the water system since it is the most important project for a barangay with cases of diarrhea.)

To ensure the sustainability of the project, the KALAHI-CIDSS Area Coordinating Team and Sanitary Inspection Officer of the Local Government Unit will be conducting quarterly monitoring of water filtration buckets distributed.

The partnership started to cater areas under the Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP) with unfunded proposed Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) projects to become beneficiaries of Campaign Against Malnutrition and Child Stunting (CAMACS) of MAP.

With reports from Alexandra H. Burce, Administrative Officer II