Iligan Computer Institute

Concept Paper

Title:

WATER AND SANITATION CRISIS

Submitted by:

Jhel Gleen P. Cañete

Submitted to:

Ma’am Daian Carmel Gerasta

Date of Submitted

October 14, 2019

Introduction
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. Thus, Filipinos
consider water and sanitation access a matter of safety, pride, progress,
and convenience, in addition to the health considerations. While about 75
percent of surveyed Filipinos expressed an interest in a water and
sanitation loan, previously few banks or microfinance institutions offered
loans specifically tailored to this purpose.

Purpose
Water covers 70% of our planet, and it is easy to think that it will always
be plentiful. However, freshwater—the stuff we drink, bathe in, irrigate our
farm fields with—is incredibly rare. Only 3% of the world’s water is fresh
water, and two-thirds of that is tucked away in frozen glaciers or otherwise
unavailable for our use. As a result, some 1.1 billion people worldwide lack
access to water, and a total of 2.7 billion find water scarce for at least one
month of the year. Inadequate sanitation is also a problem for 2.4 billion
people—they are exposed to diseases, such as cholera and typhoid fever,
and other water-borne illnesses. Two million people, mostly children, die
each year from diarrheal diseases alone.
Goals and Objectives

* Expand and extend water supply and service in the most remote area of
the town, observe periodic preventive maintenance, flushing and blow-offs.

* Provide timely technical maintenance in the most economical cost and

methods, preservation/rehabilitation of old water pipe main and service
lines.

* Provide fast and efficient billing and collection services to our clients
through an enhanced electronic billing and collection system.

Methodology & Timeline

In 2014, Expanded Water Credit to the Philippines with the support of the
Caterpillar Foundation and Swiss Re Foundation. We now work with 25
different microfinance institutions, providing philanthropic and technical
support to build their capacity to provide a variety of water and sanitation
solutions in urban and rural communities. From 2015 to 2017, partners
conducted research, trained staff, designed their loan products and
executed lending pilots. We are expanding our partnerships, and by the
end of 2019, we aim to reach more than three million people with safe
water and sanitation. In addition, we are developing innovative approaches
to working with municipal water utilities and developing new toilet models,
so even more low-income Filipinos can enjoy safe water and the dignity of
a toilet.
Conclusion

This final chapter summarizes existing of water and sanitation crisis

problems in coastal and waterfront communities and those on low-lying
areas, enumerates the important considerations for the provision of
sanitation systems in these communities, and identifies the feasible
sanitation systems. It also provides general recommendations for future
studies related to this research.