By Lane Afable, News Editor
Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines president and Quirino governor Dax Cua hailed the government’s efforts to provide clean, safe, and potable water to Filipinos across the country.“Water is a basic human right. Filipinos shouldn’t have to travel far to have access to it, or worry about when the next drop of water to quench their thirst will come.
“I am glad that this government is tireless in its efforts to ensure this right is enjoyed by our people. Through the SALINTUBIG program I believe that eventually we will attain zero
‘waterless’ communities soon,” Cua said.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government recently reported that its Sagana at
Ligtas na Tubig sa Lahat (SALINTUBIG) program has now reached 1.49 million households
in communities that previously had no access to clean, safe, and potable water.
The SALINTUBIG program aims to bring community-based water systems to areas with high poverty incidence, frequent water-borne diseases, and limited access to safe water. Cua underlined the role that clean, safe, and potable water plays in promoting public health.
“Mahalaga ang malinis na tubig sa pagpigil sa pagkalat ng mga sakit gaya ng cholera, typhoid fever, diarrhea, hepatitis A, at iba pa,” said the governor.
So far, 2,821 water supply subprojects have been completed, benefiting around 7.45 million residents.
The DILG reported that 340 municipalities and 1,123 barangays have graduated from waterless status due to the program.
