By CESAR JOLITO III

The Negros Occidental provincial government has intensified its public health campaign with the rollout of the collaborative Safewater Project, a sanitation initiative aimed at eliminating open defecation and improving hygiene in rural communities.

Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz II said the program, spearheaded by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, focuses on providing basic but critical toilet facilities to barangays working toward Zero Open Defecation (ZOD) status — an internationally recognized public health benchmark.

Under the arrangement, the provincial government supplies toilet superstructures and bowls, while participating local government units (LGUs) shoulder the construction of septic tanks as their counterpart. The cost-sharing scheme is designed to ensure long-term functionality and sustainability of the facilities.

Isabela town has emerged as an early adopter of the project, committing full support and coordination.

As of Monday, February 16, a total of 353 toilets have been constructed across four barangays in Isabela, bringing these communities close to achieving ZOD status.

Diaz said the provincial government expects faster progress as more LGUs enroll in the program, noting that sanitation improvements directly translate to better health outcomes, reduced disease transmission, and improved quality of life for residents.

Lacson underscored the importance of strong province-LGU partnerships, emphasizing that collaborative efforts like the Safewater Project are key to addressing long-standing public health challenges and ensuring inclusive development across the province./CJ, WDJ