Beyond the lead: Providing clean water and sanitation for PH

Summary

Lorna Masankai, a 56-year-old from barangay Putin, endures a daily struggle to fetch water from a community spring, using it for drinking, cooking, and washing despite visible impurities. The area's water access worsened after an oil spill from the sunken Envy Princess Empress, contaminating water sources and prompting authorities to prohibit pitcher pump use. Despite government targets to provide clean water to 95% of Filipinos by 2022, many still lack access, with President Marcos acknowledging 12 million without clean water.

Takeaways

• 💧 Lorna Masankai, a 56-year-old, faces the daily challenge of transporting water from a community spring.
• 🚿 The spring serves multiple purposes including bathing, cooking, washing, and even drinking after filtration.
• 🏞️ The mountainous barangay Putin relies heavily on rivers and springs for water supply.
• 🌊 Amelia Vargas is grateful for the clear river today, which is usually muddy during the wet season.
• 🚫 The area's access to clean water was complicated after an oil spill affected the region.
• 🛑 The use of pitcher pumps was prohibited due to contamination concerns from the oil spill.
• 🏡 Some households have piped water supply, contrasting with the official data on water access.
• 📊 Official data claims 90% of Filipinos have access to clean water, but the reality is different.
• 📉 The Philippine government had a plan to increase clean water access to 95% by 2022 and 100% by 2030.
• 🌐 President Marcos acknowledged that 12 million Filipinos still lack access to clean and safe water.

Q & A

How old is Lorna Masankai?

Lorna Masankai is 56 years old.

What is Lorna's daily task?

Lorna's daily task is to transport a cart load of containers filled with water from the community's water source.

What is the water source for bathing, cooking, and washing clothes mentioned in the script?

The water source for bathing, cooking, and washing clothes is a spring.

How does Lorna filter the water from the spring?

Lorna filters the water from the spring using a piece of cloth to filter out sediments and other impurities visible to the naked eye.

What is the terrain like for Lorna to transport water back home?

The terrain for Lorna to transport water back home is uphill and downhill, covering hundreds of meters.

How long has Lorna been doing this routine?

Lorna has been doing this routine for the past five decades.

What is the main water source for the people in the mountainous barangay Putin?

The main water source for the people in the mountainous barangay Putin is the river and spring.

Why is Amelia Vargas thankful that the river is clear today?

Amelia Vargas is thankful that the river is clear today because it is usually muddy during the wet season.

What impact did the oil spill have on the water supply in the area?

The oil spill led to authorities prohibiting residents from using pitcher pumps to get water for fear of contamination.

What is the current status of piped water supply in the town?

Households in the town have piped water supply, which is a significant improvement from the situation in barangay Putin.

What is the government's target for providing access to clean water to Filipinos according to the Philippine water supply and sanitation master plan?

The government's target is to provide access to clean water to 95 percent of Filipinos by 2022 and 100 percent by 2030.

How many Filipinos remain without clean and safe water according to President Marcos?

According to President Marcos, 12 million Filipinos remain without clean and safe water.