1st Water for Peace tank turned over to Marawi City
The country’s major private sector driver and coordinator for disaster resilience, the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), together with Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. (PCPPI) turned over the first water tank from their “Water for Peace in Marawi” project. This project aims to provide 10-12 cylindrical stainless steel water tanks with 20,000-liter to 40,000-liter capacity to underserved transitional shelter sites across the province.
With the support of the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) Working Group for WASH concerns, part of this project aims to conduct community training on water management and hygiene that will form part of the Marawi City Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) masterplan.
“For quite some time now, there is scarcity of water in these shelters, and with the water tanks given by Pepsi Cola through PDRF, our constituents would be able to enjoy this basic need until such time that they can finally go back to their homes in the Most Affected Area of Marawi City,” said Lanao del Sur Governor Bedjoria Soraya Alonto Adiong. Vice Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr. was present during the turnover.
“We hope that with the water, the people will have a renewed determination to pursue the rebuilding of the city. The doors of Pepsi are always open and we will be with you every step of the way,” added Pepsi CDO plant general manager Bob Flores.
Last Nov. 10 PDRF together with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), the Makati Business Club (MBC), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Association of Foundations (AF), and CODE-NGO formed the United for Marawi consortium. This private sector-led group pledged their support for the rehabilitation and recovery of Marawi.
“Water is the most important thing in the world. The UN calls it a fundamental right. Thanks to Pepsi, people will be able to quench their thirst, wash their hands and bodies to prevent disease, and feel human again,” said PDRF president Butch Meily.
The partnership between PDRF, PCPPI, Task Force Bangon Marawi, and the Lanao del Sur provincial government encourages participation of different stakeholders in the rehabilitation efforts in the war-stricken area.
PDRF first worked with Pepsi last year for the donation and installation of 1,000 gasera lights and 500 solar street lamps in Marawi.
As an alliance of businesses dedicated to building the disaster risk management capabilities of the private sector in the country, PDRF aims to contribute to the sustainable development and the general welfare of the Filipino people.