ILOILO – The provincial government has secured a P750,000 incentive from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) after being named a Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Achievement Champion and Exemplar for its aggressive sanitation campaign.
The cash incentive was formally turned over to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. during a visit by DILG Region 6 director Juan Jovian Ingeniero and Iloilo Provincial Director Carmelo Orbista at the provincial capitol on April 27, underscoring national recognition of the province’s sanitation gains.
The award highlights Iloilo’s flagship “Zero to Limpyo Iloilo” program, which aligns with SDG No. 6 on clean water and sanitation and has successfully eliminated open defecation across the province.
“Zero to Limpyo Iloilo” eliminated open defecation in the province, leading to improved sanitation, public health, and quality of life in local communities.
Provincial officials said the initiative has significantly boosted hygiene standards and reduced health risks in communities, positioning Iloilo as a model for local governance-driven public health programs.
The program’s impact has already earned national recognition, having been named among the top 10 awardees of the Galing Pook Awards in 2023./PN
