by Margarite Igcasan It is crucial for today’s Philippine society to learn about our heroes. Common textbooks may tell us about some, but we are often clueless about the heroes whose images were “tarnished” by the black propaganda for branding … Continue reading
Category Archives: Feature
Better safe than sorry: Los Baños prepares for calamities, disasters
Reply
by: Mary Joy Grefaldo
Looks like the town of Los Baños is not taking any risks to go in deep water—literally.
With the announcement of the plan to construct a multi-purpose evacuation center during the celebration of International Women’s Month last March 1, the local government unit (LGU) of Los Baños, in coordination with line agencies, is setting its gears to prepare for calamities and disasters.
According to Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Office (MDDRMO), the preparation includes the recent procurement of tools and equipment for water safety and is part of the LGU’s goal to mitigate the impact of calamities and improve the people’s capabilities to respond in times of emergency.
Los Baños in the face of calamity
Situated near the Laguna Lake and surrounded by rivers and creeks, the town of Los Baños is prone to flooding especially during typhoons. Among the barangays most vulnerable to flooding are Tadlac, Lalakay, Baybayin, Mayondon, Malinta, and Bambang.
READ: 600 residente sa Los Baños, Laguna, nagpalipas ng magdamag sa evacuation centers
Because these climatic hazards inflict serious damage to lives and property, community leaders prioritized enhancing response and rescue operations and the capacity of evacuation centers to accommodate locals in times of need.
“Talagang ang number one concern ng LGU [kapag may kalamidad] ay ilikas ang mga tao,” said Tom Boas, barangay councilor of Brgy. Baybayin. “Kung kailangan naming buhatin [ang mga tao], bubuhatin namin.”
Equipping leaders and citizens
In April, representatives from each barangay attended a five-day training seminar in Albay about camp management in order to equip leaders with needed skills for emergency situations, such as crowd control and search and rescue.
“Nakapila talaga sa plan of activities natin ang camp management training para at least, ‘yung mga ilalagay natin doon ay well-trained at alam kung paano isupervise ang isang camp area,” said Cynthia Quintans, MDRRM officer.
Camp management, based on the global camp coordination and camp management cluster site, involves the “coordination of assistance and services at the level of a single camp.” It aims to secure provisions of basic needs as food, shelter, and clothing and also ensure protection of the camp population.
Camp is a collective term for the group of displaced persons and refugees as a result of natural disaster or human conflict.
Locally, the LGU holds short training courses on first aid as well as on response and rescue for both leaders and interested individuals. Also, the MDRRMC regularly runs fire and earthquake drills in different parts of the municipality to train the people, especially the young, of what to do during such unforeseen events.
Funding for these projects come from the calamity fund by the LGU allocated to cover aid, relief, and related programs and services for communities affected by disasters—both natural and manmade.
According to Boas, training the people is just as important — if not more— in preparing for calamities.
“Kailangan na kailangan na matrain sila. ‘Di naman naming sinasabi na kailangan laging may training personnel sa barangay, kundi kailangan kasama sila [sa paghahanda],” he said.
In case of urgent situations, the municipality keeps an updated list of teams and committees composed of community members and officials with their predetermined tasks and roles before, during, and after the evacuation take place.
How do the people and barangay leaders plan to respond when there is a threat of a natural calamity?
Preparing ahead of time is key, said Joben Manarpaac, barangay captain of Bayog.
“Kami naman ay nakaready kasi kapag naman may ganiyang sakuna, meeting agad ‘yun,” he shared, “Kung anuman yung mga kailangan, mga kakailanganin, piniprepare na agad namin bago pa man dumating yung mga sakuna.”
Prioritizing safety through sanitation
Asked about the biggest problem the barangays faced during recent calamities, the officials of Brgy. Bayog agreed on the grave impact of flood and typhoons on health and sanitation.
Councilor Wenceslao Tandang shared: “Mostly mga trabaho dito ay mga mangingisda…yung mga kabuhayan, pagmalakas ang bagyo, talagang totally damaged…Pati yung mga septic tanks lubog din.”
READ: Spread awareness, not the germs: Encouraging people to stop using shared toilets and have their own
Municipal sanitation officer Wilson Gascon confirmed this growing problem on septic tanks and added that even the facilities of school, the priority place for evacuation, have problems in keeping up with the sudden flock of evacuees.
“Pagdating sa toilets, ‘yung pinakaseptic tank ay para sa mga estudyante o sa school lang. Noong time ng baha, lalo na sa mga shoreline na barangay, ‘yun ang problema. Talagang bumaha…” he said.
He also addressed the growing concern of potential outbreaks of waterborne diseases at evacuation centers.
Records show that upper respiratory track infection and influenza are among the common health problems during evacuation times. At the onset of a flooding, the office takes extra precautionary measures to monitor the potential of leptospirosis in the area.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that could infect both human and animals. According to the Department of Health (DOH), in humans, the infection could be transmitted through contact of wounds with floodwaters, vegetation, moist soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals, especially rats.
In January this year, the DOH boosted its campaign against leptospirosis after several cases were confirmed in the Mimaropa region.
Another issue that was thrust into discussion was the concern about the supply and safety of water in some evacuation areas.
“Minsan kasi, siyempre naapektuhan din sila [schools] ng bagyo. Nagkacut naman talaga ng water diba? Pero yun po yung ina-augment ng munisipyo…,” Quintans explained, then shared about the ways the LGU are trying to address the solutions, “ngayon meron na tayong pwedeng isupply dahil meron na tayong water purifier na pwedeng magsupply ng tubig kapag po nagkaroon ng disaster at magkakaproblema sa inuming tubig.”
Gascon also expressed approval of the proposed way to resolve the matter.
“Ngayon naman meron na tayong mobile water refilling station. In case na merong ano ulit [emergency, ready na. Mappprovide-an din natin ng safe na tubig ang mga evacuees,” he said.
Room for improvements
The local government has been putting premium on funding programs to lessen the impact of calamities to lives and properties, confirmed the MDRRMO.
Recent reports showed that through the help of various sectors and line agencies in carrying out projects, considerable improvements in the tools, equipment, supplies, and materials have been made available to the community.
“Marami pa rin kaming kailangang iimprove na mga bagay,” Quintans admitted. “Dito na lang sa office, kailangan pa naming maglagay ng additional tools equipments and supplies.”
She also added that the office has yet to strengthen its information and education campaigns among the people in the community, especially among the youth.
Regarding the sanitation concerns in evacuation centers, Gascon cited the lack of health personnel who could immediately respond to people’s sanitation needs during emergency as major point for improvement.
He shared that most staff in the MHO carries out multiple roles; he alone, aside from his stint as a sanitation inspector, provides nursing assistance and does secretarial works in the health center.
At the barangay level, leaders request for increase in material provisions such as additional beddings and relief goods. Maintaining cleanliness inside the classroom is also one of the key areas for discussion.
Manarpaac, however, admitted that the greater challenge they face during rescue and response operations is encouraging people to leave their houses and stay at the evacuation centers.
“Alam niyo sa totoo lang, ang pinakamahirap dito ay hikayatin ang mga nasa delikadong lugar na umalis na lalo’t ganiyan na masama ang panahon, talagang pinipilit na naming lumikas…” he said.
As part of addressing these solutions, Gascon suggested that open communication among the people, the health office, as well as the local government units and other line agencies, would be of great help.
“Ang kailangan diyan talaga, tao yung nagmomonitor din kung yung mga pangangailangan nila naibibigay sa kanila o kung may pagkukulang sa side natin, iadvise din kami,” he said.
LB prepares for disasters
by: Paulo Luis S. Zipagan
Ensuring health and proper sanitation in evacuation centers should always be one of the priorities of local government units (LGUs) in times of disasters.
As stated in the 2009 World Health Organization Country Office Philippine Health Cluster Situation Report, the top five common diseases in evacuation centers are upper respiratory tract infection, fever, skin disease, infected wounds, and diarrhea. In 2015, DOH spokesperson Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy in balita.ph emphasized that these diseases can be easily transferred because evacuation centers are congested.
In Barangay Bayog of Los Baños, for instance, health workers check on evacuees camped in evacuation centers and focus on children. A bridge located a few meters away from the Barangay Hall with tents serves as the barangay’s evacuation center during disasters since it is the only elevated part of the barangay. Rural health workers bring medicine to treat common communicable diseases, such as colds and cough. In such a setting, health management and sanitation could be a challenge, and the local government recognizes this concern.
Responding to the need for sanitary facilities, the local government built temporary toilets within the school compound. The said toilets are located far from classrooms where evacuees stay but are still accessible.
Communicable diseases and sanitation problems abound during disasters, hence the need for quick and proper response from authorities.
Camp management and coordination
The municipal government of Los Baños will be holding a camp coordination and camp management training on the year 2016 for the benefit of barangays. Spearheaded by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) and the Municipal Social Welfare Development Office (MSWDO), this initiative is a humanitarian assistance that addresses internally displaced people (IDPs) and provides people with their basic needs and rights while they stay in temporary shelters.
Ideally, a camp or evacuation center should provide the basic needs of a person every day, such as food, water, shelter, and clothing. In the Draft Manual for Evacuation Camp Management, the WHO standards for evacuation centers is explained. Among such standards include the provision of 20 liters of water per person per day.
Camp leaders step up
Each camp has a designated camp leader whose role it is to ensure that guidelines and needs are addressed. A camp manager can be a barangay tanod, a barangay health worker, or a male or female resident. To be a camp manager, one should have attended a camp management training conducted by the LGU or any designated agency.
A camp manager maintains peace and order within an evacuation center, ensures the protection of evacuees from diseases, and takes steps to provide an evacuation center that is clean and conducive for living.
According to Cynthia Quintans, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer, mothers or even community members may serve as camp managers or leaders because they know the people within their community. According to her, having mothers as camp managers is beneficial owing to the care that mothers are known to give their children. “Maganda na yung mga nanay mismo ang nandoon para macheck at maalagaan yung evacuees,” Quintans said. (It’s good that the mothers are there to check and take care of the evacuees.)
A camp manager is expected to implement rules. The LGU prescribes certain policies with regard to camp management, but the camp manager has the option to completely follow these rules or introduce new ones depending on local conditions.
Among the basic rules are the following:
1. The evacuees are tasked to clean the room (evacuation area)
2. They should maintain cleanliness
3. Things inside the room like chairs and tables should be maintained in good condition
4. Avoid touching or destroying of displays or decorations inside the room/s especially when a class room is used as an evacuation center
Lack of coordination
Unfortunately, not everyone cooperates and obeys the rules in evacuation centers, as seen in destruction of some classroom features after the families leave. There are also residents who do not clean up their designated spaces, such as sleeping areas, and common spaces, such as comfort rooms.
“Yung mga CR hindi nila masyadong name-maintain, tapos pagpasok mo may malansang amoy—s’yemrpe doon sila natutulog, doon sila kumakain”, she narrated. (The CRs are not properly maintained, and when you walk into the classroom, you can smell foul odors–of course this is because families sleep and eat there.)
The lack of cooperation is a major concern that has been brought up by other residents. The camp manager is the one needed to address this problem. He or she is tasked to ensure that evacuees cooperate and abide by the rules applied in that certain evacuation center.
A better, bigger ‘camp’
In the future, cramped spaces and congested evacuation centers will no longer be a problem in this part of Los Banos as a 20-million peso multi-purpose evacuation center will be built this year.
To be located within the area of Barangay Baybayin the new evacuation center is the size of a covered court or basketball court. Its features include a gender-friendly space, children’s space, WASH area, and conjugal area. (Quintans refused to disclose more details about the evacuation center because the process of presenting the design is ongoing.)
According to Barangay Baybayin Kagawad Thomas Josephus Baes, the new evacuation center will face Laguna de Bay. He assured that the area does not get flooded. “Although facing siya sa Laguna Lake, never namang umabot yung tubig doon,” he added. (Although the evacuation center is facing Laguna Lake, the water never reached the part that it will be built.)
In the past, people evacuated to a bridge and a school in Barangay Bayog and a barangay hall in Barangay Baybayin. These two barangays are among the most flood-prone in the municipality.
Once the new evacuation center is ready for use, some schools will not be used as evacuation center especially for barangays near the new evacuation center and a new challenge for camp managers since this is a bigger camp.
Laguna Lake view from Barangay Bayog, one of the most flooded-prone araes in Los Baños. Photo by Paulo Luis Zipagan
Prioritizing disaster preparedness
Disaster preparedness is a priority of the government in both the national and local levels because the Philippines is considered the 4th most disaster prone country in the world, with 274 recorded disasters since 1995 according to the Human Cost of Weather Related Disasters report.
In compliance with the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Department of Budget and Management, and Department of Interior and Local Government, the barangay allots 5% of its annual budget to disaster preparations. The fund is used for buying tools and equipment for disaster preparedness and also in food provisions.
In Barangay Baybayin, a Barangay Emergency Response Team was formed. It comprises of different committees, such as those in-charge for evacuation, relief, medical assistance, and warning. Each team has its own tasks and responsibilities when responding to disasters.
According to Baes, the teams immediately prepare after getting information when a typhoon threatens the barangay. “Agad agad kaming nagmi-meeting kapag may ganyan,” he said. (We immediately meet during those times).
To further improve disaster management skills, several representatives from different barangays in Los Banos responded to the call of Albay governor Joey Salceda for a DRRM training held in coordination with the International Rice Research Institute. According to Quintans, attending such a training was necessary for improvements in DRRM in Los Baños.
Among the new skills to be developed in the training is rappelling. Quintans said that rappelling is a skill needed because there are instances or situations wherein people who needed to be evacuated are those that live under a bridge.
Serving the community
In serving the community, Quintans said that one needs a big heart because everything done during disaster response and other forms of community service is on a voluntary basis.
“Dito kasi unang-una kailangan malaki yung puso mo na nandito ka lalo na kapag may disaster regardless of may family ka na dapat isecure though alam mo na secured sila,” Quintans said. (You need to have a big heart during times of disasters regardless of securing your family even though you know they are safe.)
Volunteers, such as camp managers and disaster response teams, do not receive any monetary rewards from the local government yet they continue on serving their fellow community members.
Furthermore, Quintans emphasized that all agencies are anchored to the MDRRMO that is why their response to calamities are systematic.
Sanitation Officer Wilson Gascon of the Municipal Health Office on cooperating during calamities added that “connected naman kami lahat sa LGU. In times na iyon nga, may typhoon tayo, talagang ina-advise na kami ng mayor’s office standby.” (We are all connected to the LGU especially in times of typoon. The Mayor’s office advises as to be on standby)
With all these preparations, the services to be provided in terms of ensuring health and sanitation in evacuation centers is expected to improve now that a camp management training is under its way. This is not only for the benefit of the evacuees but also for the overall DRRM of Los Baños.
Waste management and sanitation in Mabitac
by: Maria Erika Therese B. Flor
Typically, people would wake up to the smell of fresh coffee or breakfast in the morning. However, in Sitio Binakuran of Barangay Lambac in Mabitac, Laguna some may wake up to the smell of burning garbage.
Besides risking the health of people, burning garbage also damages the environment. Alternatives to this method could have probably been suggested to community members of Sitio Binakuran, Laguna, but it seems like they have no other choice.
During a panel discussion about community cleanliness and sanitation practices, several mothers of Sitio Binakuran said they burn their garbage (nagsisiga), both biodegradable and non-biodegradable because no one comes to collect them. According to Nanay Shirly Babor, “Dapat nga kasi meron [garbage collector], kahit every Wednesday, Friday, [sana] may kumukuha. Wala kasing pumapasok…”
No garbage trucks come to collect trash in their area because Sitio Binakuran is deemed too far.
There are times when garbage would accumulate, according to Nanay Shirly. It happens during rainy days — wet garbage would not burn — and when neighbors sun- or air-dry their laundry.
Nanay Carmela Ragindin, 34, mother of four, does not burn her household’s garbage but instead keeps it in a drum, which her husband empties whenever he goes to a barangay nearby — Sinagtala, roughly five kilometers from Mabitac.
The problem with garbage collection has been brought up with the municipal government, according to Nanay Sionila, a folk healer (albularyo). So far, nothing has been done about it. She says she is exhausted to raise this concern some more to the government. (Due to time constraint, government officials of Mabitac were not asked about the waste management issue of Sitio Binakuran.)
Nanay Shirly is aware of the consequences of garbage burning. “Hindi ba’t masisira ng masisira yung ozone layer natin?” she asked. (It destroys the ozone layer, doesn’t it?)
They asked Dennis Millan, an account officer of Tawid Sa Pag-Unlad, Inc. (TSPI) if the organization TSPI offers programs or projects that relate to solid waste management. However, he said current programs that can help address their concerns are limited to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) program.
According to the Health and Environment: The Vital Link, published by the Department of Health, uncollected solid waste will eventually decay and will become a conducive environment for bacteria and parasite to thrive. Furthermore, it may become a breeding ground for disease carriers such as flies and rodents; this will put the health of the people, especially the scavengers, at risk.
In addition, the toxic waste that may come from the garbage may seep into the soil, surface water, and ground water, which will contaminate the source for drinking water (in most areas).
In the article, “Global Emissions of Trace Gases, Particulate Matter, and Hazardous Air Pollutants from Open Burning of Domestic Waste” from the journal Environmental Science and Technology, possible health risks that may come from burning garbage include: decreased lung function, neurological disorders, cancer, and heart attack.
So far, the mothers have not told about catching illnesses related to burning trash. What they have said, during one of the interviews, is that the children may sometimes have parasitic infections or bulate. Nanay Shirly has mentioned that this might be happening because the children spend plenty of time playing in the soil.
Accessible and safe water for all
by: Jimilyn O. Gerobin
The 2014 Annual Poverty Indicators Survey (APIS) shows that almost 86% of the 22 million families in the Philippines have access to safe water. The remaining 14% percent use unsafe water from unreliable water sources, like shallow wells. The national average of families with access to safe water ranges from 85 to 99%. In Region IV-A, almost 91% of families have access to safe water.
Barangay Kabulusan is situated in the western part of Pakil, Laguna. The barangay has a popualation of 3,683 based on the 2014 Department of Health (DOH) projected population. Out of 832 households, only 730 have access to safe water. The remaining 102 households are either getting unsafe water from their own shallow well or sharing water source with other households.
Before, the Barangay Council of Kabulusan built shallow wells (poso) in some areas within the barangay. The shallow wells are then being used by community members who do not have access to reliable water sources. Some of the shallow wells are still being used by the community members today. Residents near those shallow wells get to use it however; they are unaware if the water source is potable.
Improvements in water, sanitation, and hygiene help boost overall health. Access to clean water will prevent waterborne diseases. Also, access to basic sanitation like toilets will prevent the spread of infection and water contamination from human waste. In Kabulusan, there are still areas where residents have no access to both safe water and toilets.
Pakil Water District (Pakwad) serves almost 300 households in the barangay. According to Roderick Golpe, administrative services aide of Pakwad (Kabulusan Extension), about 36% or 300 out of 832 households in Kabulusan already have water connection. However, the remaining 64% or 532 households still do not have water connection and are probably relying on shallow wells as source of drinking water. According to some consumers, water consumption costs them 200 to 300 pesos monthly depending on the volume.
Aside from fishing, paper mache is also a source of income for many families in Barangay Kabulusan. However, incomes from both sources are still not enough to provide for every family’s needs. Due to this, having water connection from the water district or improving sanitation facility like toilets is not their priority. Many families in Kabulusan rely on microfinance agencies like Tulay sa Pag-unlad, Inc. (TSPI) for additional business capital, educational expenses of their children, housing, health and insurance, and other development loans.
Anafe Rey has been a member of TSPI for seven years. TSPI is a Christian microfinance non-government organization that aims to help individuals and communities by lending additional capital to small business entrepreneurs. Last November, TSPI launched another program that promotes sanitation among its members. Under Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) program, TSPI members can borrow money to build their own toilet and to have a safe water source through the water district.
WASH promotes development of communities through improved access to water, sanitation and hygiene.
Barriers to Safe Water
Safe water is already accessible in Kabulusan through Pakwad. Although several households already have water connection, there are still more who do not. Among those are some TSPI members like Anafe. For her, having water connection in the household is a big help when doing household chores. Although she expressed her need of water source for her family, she cannot apply for water connection due to inadequate financial means.
Anafe’s desire to have her own water connection is hindered by the current financial situation of her family. Anafe has four kids. Her husband works in a metal crafts business and sometimes, she sells fruits that are available in their area. According to her, their only source of water is a shared shallow well.
Many residents of barangay Kabulusan seldom buy mineral water since it also adds to their expenses. Aside from that, they think that their source of water is safe since they have been using it for a long time now. But, they are also aware that unsafe water sources can cause waterborne diseases such as diarrhea and amoebiasis.
“Pero maganda din naman ang poso. Kaya lang yun nga, di maiiwasan na makakuha ng sakit tsaka nawawalan na ng tubig, di kagaya ng dati na napakalakas,” said Anafe Rey.
Another reason is loan prioritization of TSPI members. Since most of them have shallow wells and toilets, they said that they would choose to avail general or multi-purpose loan as compared to WASH loan. Some members use these loans to cover their family’s daily expenses. Some for their businesses and some for their children’s school expenses.
Also, members who still have existing loans want to finish paying it first before getting another. According to Anafe, given their income, it will be difficult on her part if she will avail WASH loan while still paying for her previous loan. Since Anafe’s general loan will not be paid until January, she decided not to avail WASH loan right away and wait until her previous loan is fully paid.
Aside from financial concerns and loan prioritization, another reason is the community members’ opposing views about the safety of water distributed by the water district. “Sabi din kasi nila hindi daw pwedeng inumin, marumi, masyadong machlorine. Yung may inihahalo sa tubig,” said Amelita Gonzales, a TSPI member.
In addition, Eulalia Duran, another TSPI member said, “Siguro yung dahilan kaya hindi okey yung tubig, yung pwesto na pinagkukunan nila hindi maganda.”
But, some community members think that having water connection is helpful. “.. kasi mas maalwan. Lalo na sa paglalaba, kasi basta ka na lang gaganon (pipihit) kasi pag bomba, nakakangalay,” said Anafe Rey, a TSPI member who wishes to have their own water connection from the water district. “Naranasan pala namin pagka summer, kasi sa dami na din saka yung tagtuyot talaga, nagkakati na kami. Nawawalan ng tubig yung poso tapos sinasalinan para siya magkatubig”, Anafe added.
Power supply is also another problem. Some community members are complaining about inadequate water supply from the water district. According to them, some areas in Kabulusan only have water supply during the day and only those households connected to the mainline have regular water supply.
Pakil Water District is also aware of power supply problem in Kabulusan. “Madalas kasi dito brownout. Kaya ito (generator) ginagamit namin para may supply sila kahit na walang kuryente.” Said Golpe. He also explained why some areas in Kabulusan experiences shortage in water supply. “ Kasi ito, kumukuha ‘to sa bukal. Umaasa lang tayo sa source. Pagka mahina ang source, siyempre yung level ng tubig ay mababa kaya hindi kayang suplayan lahat,” he added.
Local Sanitation Initiatives
Sanitation initiatives are also implemented in Kabulusan to ensure the health of its citizens. Livestock rising is prohibited in the community. The community members are no longer allowed to operate small and large scale swine, poultry, and other livestock farms because of the wastes it can generate. Wastes from farms, if not properly disposed causes foul odor and may pollute the water. Julieta Botin, Sanitation Inspector 1, from the Office of Health Services, Pakil, Laguna said that before, the Municipal Local Government distributed water pumps to community members.
However, the Local government’s fund is not enough to sustain the project. They tests water samples monthly from shallow wells in the barangays. The water sources are then treated with chlorine to ensure the safety of its users.
As of 2014, according to Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), 9% of families in Region IVA have no access to safe water. Most families comprising this number are from rural areas like barangay Kabulusan. The WASH program of TSPI does not only focuses on giving access to safe water but also to sanitation specifically, toilets since many families in Kabulusan share both water source (poso) and toilets. Although 91% is at par with the national average of 85-99%, the remaining 9% is still cannot be disregarded.
Spread awareness, not the germs: Encouraging people to stop using shared toilets and have their own
by: Rica Mae B. Valencia
“We are one extended family, with my siblings living in a compound. We use one CR. However, I want to have my own CR, not outside the house.” This is the statement of Tomas Bermudez (or Tatay Tom) in an interview regarding the current condition of his family’s sanitation and toilet.
Tom is a client of Tulay sa Pag-unlad, Inc. (TSPI) and among the hundreds of residents of Barangay Kabulusan in Pakil Laguna who still use shared toilets.
Barangay Kabulusan is the largest and most populated of the 13 barangays of Pakil, Laguna. According to data from the Barangay Environmental Health amd Sanitation for 2014on from the Field Health Services Information System (FHSIS), only 737 out of the 832 households of the barangay have sanitary toilet facility; approximately 100 hundred families have yet to have their own toilet facility and are most likely sharing toilets.
In Libis, the part of the barangay near Laguna de Bay, where most households do not have their own toilet facility, the barangay leadership built a shared public toilet near the shore. This toilet is primarily used by residents around the area. During fiestas and other barangay events, the public toilet is also used by visitors. Considered a public toilet, it can be used by everyone for their toilet and sanitary needs.
However, despite the availability of a public toilet, open defecation is still prevalent in the barangay.
“(Marami pa rin dito ang dumudumi lang sa labas, Lalo na sa parteng libis, said Eulalia Duran (or Nanay Lali) during an interview. (Many here still practice open defection, especially people living in the Libis part.)
Problems in using shared toilets
Many problems arise from sharing toilets. In the case of Tatay Tom and his siblings, whose shared toilet is built within the family compound, the waiting time and unsanitary practices of other relatives are main issues. “If there’s someone using the toilet, you will have to wait. “Kapag may nakaupo, mag-antay ka. Tapos, may salaula gumamit, ‘yung mismong bowl ay tinutungtungan. P’wede namang pasalampak eh, The said. (Sometimes there are those who put their feet in the bowl when they could have sat on it.)
Other problems include petty fights. Nanay Lali and Amelita Gonzales (or Nanay Amelita), shared their knowledge about the experiences of their fellow residents who share a toilet. “Minsan halimbawa, sa dami nilang gumagamit, ‘yung [ibang nahuhuling gumamit], nagagalit kasi madumi ‘yung CR. Tapos minsan pagka ‘yung isa gustong gumamit, may tao ganun. Minsan nag aaway-away sila.” (Sometimes when many individuals are sharing one toilet, the last one to use gets angry because the toilet is already dirty by the time his or her turn comes. And sometimes, the people sharing the toilet get into a fight.)
Another problem is improper construction due to limited space. Shared toilets are usually found outside houses because at least three families usually use it. Some of the shared toilets are located only a few meters from the water source. For instance, the toilet shared by the family of Marina Christe (or Nanay Marina) is located only a few yards outside of their house and a few meters beside their artesian wells or poso. The same placement of shared toilet maybe observed in the toilet shared by the family of Tatay Tom.
Ideally, a household’s toilet septic tank should have a minimum of 25-meter distance from the water source, such as deep wells and artesian wells. According to Julieta Botin, a sanitation inspector at the Pakil Office of Health Services, a toilet’s septic tank should be located deeper and lower than the water source to avoid contamination. Thus, toilets should not be positioned very near or above the water source. However, in most cases, shared toilets found in the barangay are located 5-10 meters from the residents’ water source.
When families use shared toilets, maintaining the structure becomes problematic. “Hindi maayos, hindi siya napapaganda,” Nanay Amelita shared. (The shared toilet is not well or properly maintained. It is not being improved.)
Nanay Marina and Tatay Tom aim to improve their own toilet facilities; both have decided to take advantage of the Water, Sanitation, Hygiene (WASH) loan program of TSPI.
Health problems and poor sanitation
Aside from the experienced problems of the residents, sharing toilets also imposes risks to health. The most common causes of diseases are intestinal worms that can enter the body through one’s use of dirty toilets, as confirmed by Botin.
Other common disease associated with unsanitary toilet facilities and contaminated water is amoebiasis, and it manifests through stomachaches, vomiting, and loose bowel movement or LBM. Amoebiasis is the most prevalent water-borne disease in the barangay.
At the national level, 6000 Filipinos die every year due to water-borne related illnesses.
According to Botin, educating residents about risks in using shared toilet facilities can be done through short talks during home visits conducted by health and sanitation staff of the government. Frequent reminders on sanitation are also passed on to residents whenever the Office of Rural Health Services visits people in their homes.
The local government attempts to address the gap in household sanitary toilet facilities by giving of toilet bowl packages to residents. Botin said that the Provincial Health Office supplies the toilet bowls that are in turn distributed among municipalities. Such a supply, however, is limited and cannot accommodate everyone in their lists. In addition, financial constraints also hamper people from constructing their own toilets.
“The problem with that is, even though we give them bowls, if they are financially lacking, then it is senseless,” said Botin. If the cost of building a toilet facility is higher than buying a toilet bowl, then residents think twice of building their own toilet even though toilet bowls are already available.
Lack of capital to build a complete toilet facility is the primary reason identified by the residents behind the lack existing practice of sharing toilets. In addition, they also lack direct access to water, such as water from the faucet supplied by PAKWAD.
Possible solutions
In a panel discussion attended by the residents who are also members of TSPI, several ideas emerged based on their own experiences on how to solve problems associated with using shared toilets. One possible solution is, according to Nanay Lali, “Mag-provide ng sari-sariling CR” (each household having its own toilet).
Nanay Amelita, on the other hand, sees the need to urge people to invest in their own toilet facilities. “Ikumbinsi mo ang mga tao na magpagawa ng [sariling toilet]. Tapos, sasabihin naman nila sayo ‘yung problema. Siyempre, sasabihin nila sa’yo ‘yung pampagawa, saan sila kukuha ng pampagawa, mga ganoong bagay.” (Convince people to have their own toilets constructed. But then, tell them that and they will complain as to where they will get money for such a project.)
Tatay Tom and Nanay Marina decided that they would apply for the WASH loan program to build and improve their toilet facilities.