ANGELES CITY -- A few days before Christmas, the Balibago Waterworks renewed its commitment of providing potable water and quality service to the consumers by joining Sanitation and Water for All (SWA).
SWA is an international organization and a partnership of governments and development partners with a vision to provide universal access to sanitation, water and hygiene for all, always and everywhere.
Water is life but based on worldwide studies, nearly 700 million people lack access to safe water and nearly 2.1 billion people lack access to sanitation and proper hygiene.
In Hanoi, Vietnam last December 3 to 5, 2019, Balibago Waterworks (through AquaFed, the federation for international private water operators) together with Zenith Water Products, represented the global private water and sanitation sector in the SWA Steering Committee meeting in drafting the SWA strategy to provide universal access to sanitation, water and for all from 2020 to 2030.
The private water utility already currently supplies clean water to a population of more than one million people within its 65 branches in 21 provinces across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
By becoming a SWA partner, Balibago Waterworks aims to increase its coverage and participate in accomplishing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 6.
The water shortage in key cities around the country, including Metro Manila, has affected many children and poor people.
Balibago Waterworks, a provincial water company, stated that it is one with international institutions, civic-society organizations and government agencies in working hard to end the water crisis.
A report prepared by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) indicated that key cities in the Philippines, including Angeles City, will encounter water problems in 2025.
The Balibago Waterworks management expressed that it is already preparing for the future water demand with a plan for a more stable, secure and sustainable surface water supply. This aligns with the firm's motto -- Our Water... Your Progress... Your Joys!
As the Christmas season approaches, the Balibago Waterworks management team stressed that the best gift it can offer to the people during the Yuletide season is the assurance of sufficient and quality water supply 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with adequate water pressure and water quality passing the National Standards for Drinking Water.