Coca-Cola, PBSP provides water for Himamaylan City school

The United Nations (UN) recognizes March 22 as World Water Day, with the international organization referring to water as “vital for creating jobs and supporting economic, social, and human development.”

Access to water is one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, which they plan to accomplish by 2030.

This year’s theme of “Leave no one behind” seeks to focus attention on populations that have been marginalized or ignored.

“Access to safe water is a human right and–along with access to sanitation facilities–drives forward development,” said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoula. “This aspiration to reach even the most vulnerable is increasingly important.”

“By prioritizing those most in need, we can build more resilient communities, more equal societies, and a more peaceful, sustainable world,” she added.

As part of the World Water Day observance, the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) highlighted their Potable Water Project, which provides access to safe drinking water.

The organization, through a grant from the Coca-Cola Foundation, discussed the project’s implementation at Cunalum Elementary School, located in Himamaylan City, which saw one drinking station with 10 faucets installed, along with three additional tap stands for the community outside the school to use.

According to a press statement, “Most of the residents are indigenous people and come from poor families.”

“This project has indeed been helpful to us,” said Principal Jessica Castrillo. “We can finally get water from our own classrooms’ faucets.”

“I feel at ease knowing our water problem has been solved,” she added./WDJ