ILOILO — The Province of Iloilo has emerged as a national leader in environmental sanitation after being named SDG ACE Champion for Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) during a virtual national recognition ceremony on December 19, 2025, led by the Department of Interior and Local Government.
The award cites Iloilo’s province-wide sanitation drive, “Zero to Limpyo Iloilo: Movement for a Province-wide Zero Open Defecation (ZOD),” which has eliminated open defecation across all barangays and significantly reduced sanitation-related diseases, positioning the province as a benchmark for local governments nationwide.
Launched in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda in 2014 and backed by an annual P5-million budget since 2018, the program targets poor sanitation practices through community-based interventions at the city, municipal, and barangay levels.
A Provincial Management Committee oversees implementation, supported by local ordinances and verification teams to ensure compliance. Policy reforms introduced under the initiative include mandatory sanitary toilets in construction projects and the integration of hygiene education into government programs.
As of 2022, all 1,721 barangays in Iloilo have been officially declared Zero Open Defecation, benefiting nearly 500,000 households with access to basic sanitation facilities.
Provincial officials reported a marked decline in sanitation-related illnesses, alongside improved dignity and well-being among beneficiaries who now have their own toilets.
The SDG ACE Awards recognize local governments that advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals through concrete, high-impact initiatives. Iloilo’s designation as an SDG 6 Champion underscores its progress in strengthening public health through clean water access and improved sanitation systems.
Beyond the SDG citation, Iloilo’s sanitation program earlier earned the Galing Pook Award in 2023, further cementing its status as a model for sustainable and people-centered development.
In a statement, the Provincial Government of Iloilo expressed gratitude for the recognition, crediting the “relentless dedication” of local leaders, stakeholders from one city and 42 municipalities, and partner institutions. Officials reaffirmed their commitment to sustain and scale sanitation programs, enhance service delivery, and ensure that no community is left behind in the province’s development agenda./PN
