Safe drinking water for 5,200 families in Mindanao marshlands 

In Mindanao’s marshland communities, where access to clean water remains a daily struggle, Procter & Gamble (P&G) and World Vision have brought hope since June 2022 through the Safe Drinking Water for the Philippines Project.  

“The partnership was sustained because there are still many barangays that need water purification packets. We distributed the packets to 5,200 families,” said Conrado Salumbides Jr., World Vision Project Officer.  

In the project areas in Agusan del Sur and North Cotabato, most families have long depended on dug wells, rainwater, and rivers for drinking water.  

Families like 44-year-old Sabai’s live in Kabacan, North Cotabato, near the Liguasan Marsh, which is surrounded by water, yet much of it is unsafe to drink. 

She recalled how her grandchild once got sick with diarrhea after drinking straight from the river. “She had stomach pain and watery stools. I told her, ‘Maybe you drank the water from the flowing river that is not clean.’ And she answered, ‘Yes, Ina (grandma), I drank it because we had no more clean water left to drink,’” Sabai shared. 

Sabai’s experience is not unique. Across the region, families face similar risks due to limited sanitation infrastructure and unsafe water sources. 

The people in the community had to boil this unsafe water or buy costly mineral water worth 70pesos (1.22USD) per bottle. Some households have no toilets and rely on rivers instead, which likely worsens the spread of waterborne and sanitary-related diseases.   

Local governments admit it is not practical to install full water systems because there is no local water source. In areas like the Liguasan Marsh, water quality is further threatened by chemical runoff from banana plantations in higher elevations.  

Through the project and the introduction of P&G Purifier of Water packets, households can now safely treat river or rainwater for drinking, cooking, and daily use. Families also receive training on proper usage, handling, and storage, while barangay health workers provide guidance and maintain extra packets at local health centers for emergencies.   

These communities have endured repeated disasters—from Typhoon Bopha to the 2021 diarrhea outbreak—making access to safe water not just a necessity, but a foundation for resilience. 

Thanks to your gifts: 

• 5,200 families received P&G Purifier of Water packets. 
• 4,649 families were trained on safe transportation, handling, storage, and dispensing of drinking water. 
• 617 community healthcare workers and volunteers were trained on the use of the packets as the recommended point-of-use water treatment technology. 
• 14 WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) committee supported to help promote sustainable access to clean drinking water.

The project is a model of collaboration between NGOs, local government, school, and the community with a shared goal to help children grow healthy and experience the fullness of life.  

World Vision commits to work closely with local health workers and provincial leaders to expand awareness on water, sanitation, and hygiene, promoting long-term health and well-being across the community. 

Clean water means hope for a better future.