ILOILO City – Despite years of sanitation efforts, Iloilo City has achieved Zero Open Defecation (ZOD) compliance in only 54.44% of its barangays, with coastal communities emerging as the biggest barrier to meeting the city’s ambitious target of 90% compliance by 2025 or 2026, according to the city government’s City Health Office (CHO).
Jennifer Christies Avenir, chief of the CHO’s Environmental Sanitation Division, said only 98 out of 180 barangays have so far passed the Department of Health (DOH) verification and validation standards — a figure far below the level needed to curb groundwater contamination, protect waterways, and reduce disease outbreaks in densely populated areas.
“Currently, we are experiencing significant difficulties in coastal areas. Achieving ZOD verification in these areas requires the installation of septic tanks and proper waste containment systems to prevent fecal contamination of rivers and canals,” Avenir stressed during a recent briefing.
Avenir warned that the health risks are serious and ongoing.
“Many communities depend on deep wells for their water supply… This situation presents a risk of outbreak of diseases such as acute gastroenteritis due to exposure to contaminated water,” she said.
Toilets Without Septic Tanks: The Hidden Problem
Although 95.04% of residents already have flush toilets, Avenir clarified that many of these are not connected to septic tanks, rendering the households ineligible for ZOD validation.
“As of 2024, we have 95.04% ang may toilet, galing pag mag-validate kita sa ZOD, if may toilet ka, dapat may ara ka septic tank nga ginahabuyan. Iban may toilet pero lusot sa suba ila connection,” she said. “So di namon siya ma-consider nga ZOD validated.”
Of the city’s 104,934 population, Avenir reported that 99,728 have flush toilets or are connected to septic systems, leaving less than 5% — mostly coastal and informal settler families — without their own toilet facilities.
Cramped spaces, makeshift systems plague barangays
Avenir said many barangays claim to have septic tanks, but inspections often reveal makeshift or improper waste disposal systems.
“During our validation processes, we often find that while barangay officials claim to have implemented septic tanks, further inspections reveal unsatisfactory conditions,” she noted.
“In many cases, waste is improperly disposed of, flowing directly into canals or rivers. This poses serious environmental risks and undermines our ZOD efforts.”
She added in Hiligaynon: “Aton ZOD program utilizes the principles of community-led total sanitation (CLTS)… So far, ang issues naton sa barangay level is wala sila space for the septic tanks. Nakita naton nga gaikit-ikit lang gani… kis-a gahambal na sila nga may septic tank pero pag-check, wala. Didto gali-ga shower sa suba. That’s why i-educate sila even sa pag-dispose sang diapers.”
City seeks DOH funding boost; improper waste disposal
With space constraints and high construction costs hampering progress, Avenir said the city will seek additional DOH support, especially for coastal communities.
“We plan to approach the DOH for additional resources, specifically for coastal barangays. We must secure financial assistance to improve these critical sanitation infrastructures,” she said.
Avenir reiterated that barangays must maintain strict cleanliness to secure and retain ZOD status.
“To maintain ZOD status, it is essential that our streets remain free of litter and waste, including diapers. If our validations discover such refuse, barangays will not qualify for certification,” she emphasized.
CLTS, Communal Septic Tank Solutions
The Environmental Sanitation Division is launching stronger educational campaigns on proper waste disposal and sanitation, alongside exploring communal septic tank systems for dense communities.
Officials say Iloilo City is at a “critical juncture,” with sanitation improvements key to preventing outbreaks and protecting waterways.
Despite the setbacks, Avenir said the goal remains firm: a fully ZOD-compliant Iloilo City./PN