When disaster strikes, access to clean potable water is always a concern in affected areas. Thanks to the Rotary Club of Bacolod’s Tubig Para Sa Barangay (Water for the Community) project, 20,000 households in 100 communities in Negros and Panay islands in Western Visayas struck by fire and flooding have been served.
Still ongoing, the project was unveiled during the club’s 80th charter anniversary in July 2017 as part of the Rotary International’s Area of Focus on Water and Sanitation and Disaster Response. It finally rolled out May 2019 during the term of past president Frederick de Leon and sustained in immediate past president Richard Salem time.
The water is being sourced from the spring within the property of Past District Governor Edgar Sy, who also installed a filtration and purification system. A mobile system was also installed in the water tanker, doubling the process to ensure safe supply for the desired beneficiaries. Water analysis is done monthly.
“Clean and safe drinking water is an utmost necessity,” IPP Richard says, adding that his club’s mobile water tanker distributed free purified water supply to communities, with Rotarians and partners clocking in a total of 5,000 volunteer hours since the project launch.
When the pandemic hit last year, the project was expanded and aligned with the club’s “Save Lives, Fight COVID-19, Rebuild Economy” advocacy. In every water distribution, the club also gives out reusable face masks and face shields to the communities.