The executive director of the National Water Resources Board in Dumaguete City is calling on local chief executives to make sure that sanitation is observed in public facilities in their localities.

Ramon Alikpala of the NWRB said public places such as city and municipal halls should have safe, clean water and soap in the public comfort rooms.

He said the province takes this issue more seriously and should be commended for trying to increase awareness of this problem that is plaguing the entire country.

Hanns-Bernd Kuchta, GTZ Program Director, said GTZ and the Philippine government have been tackling the water and sanitation issue for about eight years now.

Negros Oriental is one of the provinces recognized by the GTZ for its efforts in ensuring sustainable sanitation in its localities. Kuchta said there are already success stories to share to help local government units tackle the sanitation issue.

The provincial government had earlier created, through an executive order, a Water Sanitation Development Council to integrate different government programs with regards to water management and sanitation, Vice Gov. Jose Baldado said.

The Department of Interior and Local Government said almost 31 percent of the reported illnesses in the country from 1996-2000 were caused by unsafe water due to poor sanitation.

Contaminated drinking water is one of the most prevalent causes of illnesses, and about 18 Filipinos die each day from water and sanitation-related causes, the DILG added.*RG

back to top