ILOILO – Only 124 of Iloilo Province’s 1,721 barangays, or 7.2 percent, have achieved Grade 2 certification under the Philippine Approach to Sustainable Sanitation (PHATSS), highlighting the enormous challenge of ensuring proper sanitation, waste management and toilet access across the province.
As of November 10, 1,597 barangays, or 92.8 percent, had yet to obtain the certification, which requires households and public establishments to have toilets, eliminate open defecation, properly manage solid waste and maintain surroundings free of animal waste.
The certification, also known as “Zero to Limpyo 2.0,” is part of the Iloilo Provincial Government’s campaign, through the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO), to improve community sanitation and reduce sanitation-related diseases.
IPHO head Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon said certification involves strict verification of sanitation practices, including responsible pet ownership and enforcement of cleanliness regulations.
“Meaning to say, sila may ara or nakita naton nga nami ang pag-manage sang solid waste. Tanan nga mga households may ara sang kasilyas upon checking or verification. Then ang tanan nga public establishments may ara kasilyas. May ara laye nga gina-implement nga dapat wala sang pupo bisan iya ka animals anywhere; kag dapat ang ila ido ginakulong or higot or wala nagalagaw,” Quiñon said.
Tubungan emerged as the province’s sanitation frontrunner, becoming the first municipality to secure Department of Health (DOH) Grade 2 certification for all its 48 barangays.
Quiñon said the municipality’s improved sanitation practices have also contributed to dengue prevention, with Tubungan recording only 31 dengue cases this year.
“Ang nami sina, especially sa Tubungan, kay nakita naton nga after Zero to Limpyo 2.0, ang kaso sang dengue nagnubo kay may ara solid waste management. Meaning to say less and less ang dengue mosquito breeding sites,” she said.
Proper waste management helps eliminate potential mosquito breeding grounds, while improved sanitation reduces exposure to foodborne and waterborne diseases, including diarrhea.
Quiñon said the program also contributes to better family health and nutrition, particularly among children.
Recognizing the difficulty of meeting certification requirements, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. has allocated P5 million annually for the purchase of toilet bowls for municipalities where households still share sanitation facilities.
The assistance aims to improve household toilet access and help more barangays comply with PHATSS Grade 2 standards.
Apart from Tubungan, certified barangays are located in Leganes, Bingawan, Concepcion, Oton, Lambunao, San Dionisio, Mina, Passi City, San Enrique, Tigbauan, Banate, Dingle, Dumangas, Barotac Viejo and Zarraga.
With fewer than one in 10 barangays certified, the provincial government faces a substantial task in expanding the program and ensuring that adequate sanitation becomes a standard across Iloilo rather than an achievement limited to a relatively small number of communities.
The certification drive underscores the importance of sustained local government investment, stricter sanitation enforcement and community participation in preventing disease and protecting public health./PN
