Taking precious water for granted
Last Wednesday, we joined Water and Life, Tubig Pag-asa, and their local and global partners in Barangay Mantuyong, Mandaue City. The residents of this barangay were former fire victims who lived for some time at the CICC and who had been granted by the Mandaue City government land space (about 18 square meters) and a modest amount to start anew, by households and as a community.
For many urban poor communities, water supply is not a given. Water connection is often not included in any relocation project, hence many resort to buying precious water at exorbitant prices! One resident mentioned that if they use water for bathing, laundry, and other household activities, they need to pay hundreds of pesos a day!
Aside from being expensive, water sold to most urban poor communities is not always safe to drink or use. The water small-time water peddlers sell is not regularly monitored for quality and safety, the urban poor end up with no choice but to buy expensive water that may not be clean and safe!
Ensuring the supply of clean and safe water, making water accessible and affordable is an urgent necessity for people. Although an acknowledged necessity, clean, safe, accessible, affordable water supply is never a priority of government officials.
It was, therefore, very heartwarming to be part of a ceremony attended by the Mandaue local government represented by Vice Mayor Carlos Fortuna, the barangay captains of Mantuyong and Guizo, together with partners from the MCWD, foreign partners from France and the Netherlands, and the relocated families. The community received a fire hydrant donation as well as safe, accessible, affordable water supply made possible by the Water and Life and Tubig Pag-asa organizations.
When the fire hydrant was opened and water flowed out, the children of the community were asked to approach the hydrant. Their immediate reaction was to fill their hands with water which they either drank or used to wash their faces! Their smiles and those of the adult residents said it all -finally, they do not have to worry about water if they join and partner with civil society water-related organizations in terms of cheaper monthly payments.
Having been victims of fire in the recent past, the residents are also trained by their civil society partners about proper firefighting. They are also educated about how to keep their water clean and safe through proper waste management, hygiene, and sanitation.
The event made one reflect about the value of water, how precious it is to people like those in Mantuyong who were deprived of this essential item for years. How many more of our people are still waiting to be connected to a stable supply of clean, safe, and affordable water?
Imagine waking up to no water for drinking, bathing, laundry, and other needs. Add to this, imagine living in a community where waste is strewn all around, with foul smell a daily experience. Imagine dirty children in dirty clothes. Imagine health and sanitation problems day in and day out.
While most of our poor direly need precious water supply, on the other hand imagine how many others elsewhere are taking precious water for granted!
Water has become one valuable resource that had divided humanity. Conflicts and wars have even taken place over water.
When people unite to make clean and safe water available, together they reap the benefits of enjoying and using this precious resource. May more unite to ensure that they are assured of their daily and sustainable supply of clean, safe, and affordable water.