At least 20 villages in Negros Occidental have received cash incentives of P20,000 each for achieving zero open defecation (ZOD) status in 2022.

The granting of incentives is part of the continued campaign of the Provincial Health Office to promote ZOD in all of the province’s 601 barangays in line with the Department of Health’s aim to achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation.

“A ZOD barangay means all its residents already have access to toilets,” Dr. Jessica Fama, assistant provincial health officer, said in an interview during the awarding rites for the Best ZOD Barangays held in the Hospital Operations Department conference room at the Provincial Capitol on Thursday afternoon, February 23.

PHO data showed only 72 out of the 601 villages in Negros Occidental have been declared as having ZOD status.

“There are still many more. We ask the others to make an effort to become a ZOD barangay. In fact, by 2023, the provincial government has allotted a substantial budget for the ZOD program,” Pama said.

A ZOD status is achieved when households in a particular barangay have access to sanitary toilet facilities and stop the practice of open defecation, which results in zero human feces exposure to the environment.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson urged the barangay officials to maintain their ZOD status and encourage neighboring villages to achieve the same as well.

This year’s cash incentive recipient villages included Bago City’s Balingasag; Binalbagan town’s Sto. Rosario; Ilog town’s Calubang, Consuelo, Delicioso, and Manalad; Isabela town’s Bulad; Kabankalan City’s Barangay 1; La Carlota City’s Araal and Balabag; Pontevedra town’s Buanvista Gibong, M. H. Del Pilar, Poblacion 1, and Recreo; San Carlos City’s Barangays 3 and 4; Silay City’s Barangay 2; Talisay City’s Zone 4 and Zone 9; and Victorias City’s Barangay 16. (PNA)