Communities learned about water conservation as part of Islamic Relief’s World Water Day celebrations in the Philippines.
On March 23, the day after World Water Day, around 100 local authority staff in Daanbantayan participated in Islamic Relief activities.
Islamic Relief’s Marilou Gallarde, focal point in Daanbantayan, gave a presentation highlighting our work in the Philippines – which includes improving access to shelter, water and sanitation for families that lost everything in devastating tropical storms. Municipal Local Government Operations Officer Dann Marr Andrino then reintroduced the Water and Sanitation Council and discussed its significance in the area.
Our water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) promoter Faudz Daud led a short game promoting key messages around World Water Day, which this year focussed on sustainable development.
Engaging with local decision-makers
After the event, we caught up with Mayor Augusto Corro to discuss challenges in water management. He emphasised that there are still issues in some parts of the municipality. “Here in the town, access to water is not so much a problem. The further inland you get, however, there are still a few challenges”, he said.
In the coming months, we aim to assist the Municipality Water and Sanitation Council in planning practical and sustainable projects to help improve community water management practices.
“I appreciate the presence and plans of Islamic Relief Worldwide to help us improve our water and sanitation practices here in Daanbantayan” Corro added, noting his appreciation for Islamic Relief’s partnership.
Communities say ‘Cheers to water’
In addition, Islamic Relief teams visited communities in Bantayan and Daanbantayan to promote water conservation.
The ‘Cheers to Water’ advocacy and community awareness campaign included a photo exhibit highlighting the various ways in which local people are avoiding wasting water.
Islamic Relief, together with UNICEF, has targeted several barangays (village areas) in Daanbantayan for our WASH Programme, which is anchored in the national Philippines Approach to Total Sanitation (PhATS) programme.