Presenter: Apol Jimenez

1. WASH COALITION
PILIPINAS

2. WASH COALITION PILIPINAS
• Started in 2004 as a loose coalition of NGOs, LGUs,
communities and individuals working to achieve
improved access to water, sanitation and hygiene
(WASH) for all.
• Coordinated by PCWS at the national level.
• Has local chapters in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

3. WASH COALITION PILIPINAS
OBJECTIVE
• To improve the water supply and sanitation situation in
urban and rural poor communities through advocacy,
awareness raising, multi-stakeholder partnerships, action
research, introduction of low-cost water supply and
sanitation technologies and capacity building for
community managed WASH.

4. The Coalition has remained a loose organization,
flexible enough to allow ease in implementing
projects and achieving goals.

5. The formation of local chapters is encouraged, recognizing that the
Philippines is an archipelago with diverse ethnic groups facing varied WASH
situations and realities.
Local WASH task forces allow
broader citizen support for new
initiatives such as alternative, low-
cost WASH technology options. It
also expands the public’s knowledge
and catalyzes public support.
WASH task forces would later become a
significant local group unifying small,
fragmented, or isolated groups while at
the same time promoting values that
affirm sustainable relationships.

6. ACTIVITIES
• WASH capacity building
• Research and knowledge management
• Networking and building partnerships
• Promoting environmental sanitation
• Advocacy for rainwater harvesting as an
additional source of water supply for the
maintenance of public toilets and hand washing
facilities. The local WASH task forces are also
calling for the building of rainwater harvesting
facilities, toilets and hand washing facilities
where they are most needed such as in public
places, schools and offices.

7. ACTIVITIES
• Introducing low-cost, culturally
acceptable WASH technology options
for schools, households and communities
• Working with the media
• Constructing water supply and sanitation
facilities for communities and schools
• Establishing Coalition chapters in the
provinces for a localized approach to
building stronger partnerships for
WASH

8. SEEKS INNOVATIONS on…
• Strengthening each other’s efforts for WASH.
• Developing effective strategies so that the importance of
WASH for improving the quality of life and alleviating
poverty gets fully recognized.
• Capitalizing on the July 2010 UN declaration of water &
sanitation as basic human rights.
• Calling for greater investments for improved WASH in
schools.
• Promoting WASH for poverty reduction, health
improvement, environmental protection, gender equality
and long-term social and economic development.

9. GREATER COLLABORATION on…
• Strategies applicable to the Philippine situation that
would contribute to increased financial and political
capital for WASH.
• Finding ways to build the capacity of WASH task forces -
- in alliance with strategic partners -- in undertaking
effective advocacy techniques, including those that could
fight corruption in the unique Philippine setting.
• Working with both the national and local governments in
promoting greater transparency in government
transactions, circulating vital documents and working with
the media towards locally improving the general WASH
situation.
• Tackling the lack of appreciation for low-cost,
environment-friendly WASH technologies among policy
makers.
• Enhancing the WASH capacities of local governments,
NGOs and communities.

10. • Promoting sanitation as an affordable option
• Influencing policy and decision makers of national and local governments.
• Sharing WASH information and knowledge
• Developing WASH information materials for use as tools in focus group discussions, lectures and other
learning events for various ethnic groups in the Philippines.
- Presenting technical information in visual forms like diorama, silkscreen printing, picture stories, and
posters is complemented by the writing of case studies and of storytelling. Some WASH Task Forces
have started looking for and documenting inspiring WASH stories - stories of hope that are advocacy
tools in themselves.
- Provided local WASH task forces with information support that may encourage them to eventually
emerge as a grassroots pressure groups. With increased knowledge and capacity, the local WASH task
forces will be encouraged to sustain their advocacy work and urge local governments to allocate more
funds and other resources for WASH.
GREATER COLLABORATION on…

11. STRENGTHS of the COALITiON
• Members have diverse
expertise, knowledge
and experience
• Enhanced collaboration
and partnerships
beyond the WASH
sector
• Availability of low-cost
WASH technologies
• Social capital, trust and
friendship among the
members

12. Salamat!