Out of 105 million Filipinos, nearly seven million rely on unimproved, unsafe and unsustainable water sources and more than 24 million lack access to improved sanitation. Families without a safe water source in or near their home often spend significant time and energy collecting water. Those without a sanitary toilet facility at home face a number of unattractive choices, including venturing out at night or suffering the embarrassment of asking to use the toilet of a neighbor.

“Water is an extremely important resource that we cannot live without. But there are Filipinos who are still being left behind in terms of access to improved water sources, especially in rural communities,” said Dr Gundo Weiler, WHO Representative in the Philippines.

In 2016, one of the top 10 leading causes of death in the Philippines was acute watery diarrhoea, claiming over 139 000 lives.

According to a 2005 report published by the United Nations' Department of Economic and Social Affairs, around 25 Filipinos die every day from diarrhea caused by poor water sanitation. In poverty-stricken communities, outbreaks of waterborne diseases are common, and for many families, seeking even basic health care can be prohibitively expensive. Although access to improved sanitation facilities in urban areas has improved substantially in recent years, families in rural parts of the Philippines still lack adequate sanitation.

A recent study published by the Water and Sanitation Program revealed that not only does the current situation in the Philippines demand urgent attention, the country's annual population growth of 2 percent is likely to place a greater burden on already limited resources. Approximately 2 million additional Filipinos will require access to adequate sanitation facilities every year.

References:

(June 6, 2013). Improving sanitation in the Philippines. Retrieved from    https://www.childfund.org/Content/NewsDetail/2147489253/

Philippines' water crisis and sanitation. Retrieved from https://water.org/our-impact/philippines/

World Health Organization. (March 22, 2019). Water shortage in the Philippines threatens sustainable development and health. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/philippines/news/feature-stories/detail/water-shortage-in-the-philippines-threatens-sustainable-development-and-health