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Urban Water Sanitation and Hygiene - SWF Cebu, Cebu City (2026)

05/03/2025

Taking Small Steps to Combat Waterborne Diseases

Waterborne diseases are a major health threat, especially in communities with limited access to clean water and sanitation. While the problem may seem overwhelming, small, local actions can make a huge difference. One of the most impactful ways to reduce waterborne diseases is by helping communities build their own sanitation facilities.

By empowering locals to construct toilets, latrines, and proper waste disposal systems, we not only provide immediate health benefits but also foster long-term sustainability. These small steps may seem simple, but they contribute to cleaner environments, healthier families, and a stronger foundation for broader public health initiatives. Every little effort adds up, moving us closer to the larger goal of a world where everyone has access to safe water and sanitation.

19/11/2021

Who cares about toilet??
.3.6 billion people do. Because they don’t have one.*

We should all care more about toilets. If you have one, thank it. Life without a toilet is dirty, dangerous and undignified.

Public health depends on toilets. Toilets also drive improvements in gender equality, education, economics and the environment.

There will be no sustainable future without toilets. Governments must work four times faster and ensure toilets for all by 2030.

*3.6 billion people do not have access to a safely managed sanitation service (WHO/UNICEF 2021).

29/06/2021

Earlier today, four communal latrine facilities were turned over to Barangays San Roque and Dumlog in Talisay City.

Present during the turn-over were representatives from the Philippine Red Cross – Cebu Chapter, RC 143 Volunteers, members of the Barangay Water and Sanitation Association (BAWASA), and officials from the respective LGUs; Barangay Captain Nelson Abellana of Dumlog, Barangay Councilor Enrique Bustillo of San Roque, and on behalf of Talisay Mayor Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas Jr. was Executive Assistant Secretary Dr. Jomar Rubio.

Of the four facilities, two were turned over to Sitio Sawsawan, San Roque while one was turned over to Sitio Letmon, Dumlog, and another to Sitio Pagatpat, Dumlog.

The construction and rehabilitation of these latrine facilities is part of the Urban WASH – SWF Project’s goal to improve access to clean drinking water and sanitation in Cebu. By providing facilities designed to meet their sanitation needs, the project hopes to improve water resilience in these communities.

Before the start of the project, it was found that several households in these communities did not have access to their own sanitary toilet facilities. Residents were prone to practicing open defecation, or the practice of releasing human waste into open areas such as bodies of water. Aside from being unhygienic, this practice made the community susceptible to diseases like diarrhea and polio.

In Sitio Sawsawan, a pre-existing latrine facility was identified. This was a stilt latrine built above the water then connected to an unsealed septic tank. As such, it still posed a threat to the health of residents. Rather than building a completely new facility, the existing one was rehabilitated and improved. A septic tank designed to be buried in the ground, the INCA septic tank, was also installed. A 2-seater facility was completed in January.

Another communal latrine was built in Sitio Sawsawan to meet the needs of other households. This facility was a new construction rather than rehabilitated.

In Sitio Letmon, a brand new facility was also constructed. It is a 2-seater, 1 block facility. The construction was successfully and safely completed in February 2021 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. In Sitio Pagatpat, a similar 2-seater, 1 block facility was built. This facility is also brand new rather than rehabilitated. Construction for this facility was completed in October 2020.

The turn-over ceremony officially marks the success of the construction projects. Now, the beneficiary communities will have a greater sense of responsibility for these facilities. They will be the main caretakers – specifically the BAWASA. After undergoing training with the Red Cross, they are now more than ready to manage and operate the latrine facilities.

05/06/2021

Yesterday, June 4, the Paknaan Barangay Water and Sanitation Association (BAWASA) officers gathered around to celebrate a special day – the birthday of Mrs. Consuelo Mataberde.

Ate Connie, as she is more fondly known, is a dedicated officer of the Paknaan BAWASA. She plays the role of Treasurer and Property Custodian for the Association.

The Philippine Red Cross Cebu Chapter and Urban WASH – SWF Project Cebu would like to wish Ate Connie a very happy birthday. Thank you for your continued passion in lending a helping hand to your community.

31/05/2021

To celebrate Menstrual Hygiene (MH) Day, members of the different beneficiary communities gathered together.

The participating communities were Barangay Paknaan in Mandaue City, Barangay Guadalupe in Cebu City, and Barangays Tangke and Letmon in Talisay City. All members of the community were called to participate in various activities in line with the advocacies of MH Day.

First, a series of discussions regarding Menstrual Hygiene Management was conducted. These highlighted the importance of proper hygiene practices when girls have their periods. Although good water, sanitation, and hygiene practices must always be observed, there is a need to emphasize this further with girls and women.

Periods can be a source of discomfort and even shame which is why it must be taught early on that this is a normal part of a girl’s life. Teaching young girls how to manage their menstrual cycles early on allows them to grow into empowered women who are not hindered by social stigmas.

The participants were taught important lessons about menstruation such as the first period or menarche, why periods' matter, and what products girls and women need to manage their menstruation. They were taught the proper application of sanitary pads as well as proper disposal.

Second, sanitary pads were distributed to the participants. The distribution reinforces the necessity of using the correct sanitary and hygienic products. This further encourages young girls to practice what they learned from the discussions.

The girls were also encouraged to take photos with a life-sized menstrual bracelet. The menstrual bracelet is the global symbol for MH Day. It represents the joint commitment to create a world where menstruation is a normal fact of life for women and girls everywhere.

This also served as a reminder that periods do not stop just because of the pandemic. Now more than ever, there is a need to raise awareness about the issue of menstrual health, especially in these vulnerable communities.

28/05/2021

On May 28, Menstrual Hygiene (MH) Day is celebrated across the globe.

The annual awareness day sheds light on the importance of menstrual hygiene management, with a mission “to break the silence, raise awareness and change negative social norms surrounding MHM around the world.”

In so many cultures, menstruation is seen as taboo – something that girls are taught to be ashamed of. There is a stigma that surrounds the topic. Rather than being seen as a normal bodily function that all women experience, they are shamed and burdened. This is also brought about by the lack of proper education on the topic.

These kinds of behaviors only perpetuate poor menstrual hygiene. Coupled with limited access to the appropriate hygiene products and facilities, many women and girls around the world continue to suffer.

In some places, young girls are made to skip school when their monthly period comes. This is in part caused by the lack of sanitary products. Older women are shamed for the hormonal changes they experience; the term PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome) becoming the butt-end of many jokes about women’s sensitivity.

No woman or girl should be kept from realizing her full potential because she menstruates! Regardless of who you are – your gender, sexuality, age, it’s high time to take a stand and end the stigma now.

It is the right of every girl and every woman to live a life where she is not shamed for menstruating. It is the right of every girl and every woman to have access to period-friendly water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities.

It is time that we take action.

20/05/2021

The BAWASA Station Household Products are now available at several locations.

There will be two different refilling stations in Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue. They may also be purchased at the Philippine Red Cross – Cebu Chapter, Osmena Boulevard, and the PRC Molecular Laboratory, Jagobiao, Mandaue.

Available products are dishwashing liquid, handwashing liquid, household and toilet cleaner, and fabric conditioner.

The operation and maintenance of communal latrine facilities is carried out by the Barangay Water and Sanitation Association (BAWASA). They ensure proper usage of the water and sanitation facility. To help support the cost of maintenance, a part of their earnings will go towards the latrine's upkeep.

Another portion will go towards supporting the livelihood of BAWASA members in the community. Given the difficult times we continue to face with the pandemic, it is important to stand together in solidarity and lend a hand to one another. These small products will be a big help to many families.

The BAWASA Station Household Products also emphasize the importance of recycling, reusing, and refilling. The products are first packaged using old PET bottles. Once a customer comes to buy more, they can opt to reuse their old bottle. This will also cost them less.

Support a good cause and purchase cleaning products from the BAWASA Station. Not only are you saving money, but you’re also helping a family and keeping our Earth clean – one bottle at a time.

For orders, questions, and other concerns, please contact Ate Connie at 0932-941-6505.

29/04/2021

Earlier today, BAWASA members and RC 143 volunteers from Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City took part in the making of household products – toilet and housecleaner, handwashing liquid, dishwashing liquid, and fabric conditioner.

The members and volunteers were taught how to create these products from the comfort of their own homes. These homemade cleaning products are easy to make, organic, and most importantly, inexpensive. It is a product that hits two birds with one stone - by learning how to make their soap, the residents can reduce their expenses as well as support their livelihood. They can sell these to their communities for a small price that still allows them to earn.

A portion of their earnings will also go towards supporting the cost of maintaining their communal latrine facilities. As a beneficiary of the SWF Project, a communal latrine facility was put up in the barangay. The upkeep of this facility must be monitored so the community can to continue benefit from it long after the project’s completion.

The BAWASA, or Barangay Water and Sanitation Association, is tasked to operate and maintain the facility. They are organized to ensure that proper usage of the water and sanitation facility is followed.

The BAWASA also serves as an avenue for the community to develop a sense of ownership and shared responsibility for the latrine facility. Maintaining the facility will surely require funds from the community. The selling of the cleaning products will certainly ease their financial burden, at least by a small amount.

Another added benefit of these homemade cleaning products is for the environment. The final product is packaged using old, recycled plastic bottles. The goal is not only to recycle them but also to reuse and refill once the product runs out.

Although it has long been acknowledged that plastics are harmful to our environment, the usage of plastic bottles can’t be avoided. They are cheap and convenient sources of clean drinking water. Rather than spending more on other clean sources or not drinking clean water at all, we can instead take responsibility for our actions. This means finding creative ways to adapt.

To adapt to climate change means to change the way we live so we can benefit from the opportunities associated with climate change. Recycling, reusing, and refilling these plastic bottles is one easy but effective way.

Urban Water Sanitation and Hygiene - SWF Cebu

05/03/2025

19/11/2021

29/06/2021

05/06/2021

31/05/2021

28/05/2021

20/05/2021

29/04/2021

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