U.S. Embassy Manila’s United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in collaboration with Isabela City, Basilan is taking a stand for a cleaner environment and healthier communities by launching a new septage management program in Barangay Tabiawan, Isabela City. The project will improve the City’s septage services, provide thousands of people with access to clean water and sanitation and prevent water-borne diseases.

“The program will ensure that septage will be regularly collected from septic tanks and properly treated to protect the environment and people’s health,” said Ms. Aleli Almodovar, General Manager of the Isabela City Water District (ISAWAD), a longtime proponent of a city-wide septage management program.

USAID, through its Water Security for Resilient Economic Growth (Be Secure) Project conducted trainings and domestic study visits for water district, barangay council members and local city officials of Isabela City to demonstrate successful implementation of septage management programs.

USAID also supported Isabela City in passing its septage ordinance on January 22, 2015. This landmark legislation paves the way for introducing more water supply and sanitation-related policies and programs in Mindanao. In Isabela City, the ordinance will help ISAWAD implement the septage management program benefiting 47,000 people. USAID will continue its support by building local capacity to operate and maintain the Isabela City Septage Facility.

“The U.S. Government is here because investing in clean water and sanitation is not only an investment in the economy, but also in the improved health of its citizens, and the environment” says Mr. Paul Mason, Senior Development Advisor of USAID/Philippines. “The event also demonstrates that the partnership between the U.S. and the Philippine is good for the planet.”

Orientation meetings on the new program were also conducted to promote better appreciation among barangays of the program’s benefits and to teach the community ways to maintain septic tanks and manage wastewater at home.

Following the launch, the province held its first-ever WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) Day which highlighted the importance of clean water, sanitation and good hygiene, and the right way to wash hands.

The U.S. government, through USAID, continues to partner with the Philippine Government to achieve the Millennium Development Goals on water and sanitation, which seek to reduce by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. Under the Be Secure Project, USAID promotes good governance and builds capacity for long-term water security, improved access to water and wastewater treatment services, and build more resilient communities.

About USAID:

The United States Agency for International Development is the lead U.S. Government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential. In the Philippines, USAID partners with the national government to create a more stable, prosperous and well-governed nation. For more information, visit http://www.usaid.gov/philippines or email infoph@usaid.gov.

Follow all the U.S. Embassy’s efforts to help the Philippines improve environmental protections for all its citizens by looking for our #1Earth.