HOW CAN THE PHILIPPINES ACHIEVE UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER?

HOW CAN THE PHILIPPINES ACHIEVE UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER?

I have always believed that one of the simplest measures of civilization is whether people can drink safely from their tap. Sadly, in the Philippines, that remains a distant dream for millions. As of 2024, nearly 40 million Filipinos—one-third of our population—still do not have access to clean and safe drinking water, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). That is not just a statistic; that is a national shame. Mahiya naman tayo. After more than a hundred years as a republic, must we still accept that millions of our citizens drink from unsafe wells or buy overpriced bottled water to survive?

And yet, amid this depressing reality, a ray of hope emerges from a Filipino inventor—Engineer Rodrigo Duque—who has developed a portable water purification and sterilization apparatus. His invention can transform water from rivers, lakes, deep wells, and even rainwater into potable water that meets safety standards. Supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through its Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI), Duque’s device is designed for schools, local governments, and disaster response units. Priced at around ₱1.5 million per unit, it’s not cheap, but it could be life-saving, especially for rural and island barangays where water is scarce and sanitation is poor.

Duque’s invention is not science fiction—it’s already here. It’s designed for rapid deployment and could be a game-changer for disaster relief, rural schools, and remote barangays. With filtration, sterilization (possibly ultraviolet or chemical), and testing modules combined into one compact system, this Filipino-made device could easily be the bridge toward universal access to clean water—if only we had the political will to make it happen.

But here’s the question: Why do we still have this problem?
Is it because we have left water management to private concessionaires and government water districts that cannot keep up with demand? Is it because rural barangays have been left to fend for themselves without technical support? Or is it because water projects have become too politicized—used for ribbon-cutting ceremonies instead of long-term solutions?

It is not rocket science. This is not about sending a man to the moon. It is about providing one of the most basic human needs—water. And yet, the problem persists.

According to a joint study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) and UNICEF, only half of the Philippine population has access to safely managed water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. Around 15,000 barangays, or roughly 36% of all barangays, do not have reliable water systems. Many of these are in Mindanao, upland Luzon, and coastal Visayas, where infrastructure is weak and climate risks are high. Not surprisingly, diarrhea and waterborne diseases remain among the leading causes of illness and hospitalization, especially among children.

We should ask ourselves: if the problem is clear, why is progress so slow?
Could it be that our policies are reactive rather than preventive? We wait for droughts, typhoons, or outbreaks before acting. Perhaps we have been too dependent on centralized systems when what we need are modular, community-based solutions—like Duque’s invention—that can function independently, powered by solar energy or local cooperatives.

What if every barangay had one or more portable water purification units? What if we created “Water Sovereignty Charters”—local ordinances ensuring that no Filipino family goes without access to safe water? What if water management were treated not just as infrastructure, but as a human right and a matter of national dignity?

Let us also remember that the right to water is implicit in our Constitution’s guarantee of the right to health and a balanced ecology. That means access to water is not a luxury; it is a duty of the state. But fulfilling that duty requires innovation, coordination, and accountability.

Local governments could lead the way by partnering with innovators like Duque, tapping community cooperatives, and integrating water purification into eco-village designs and disaster-preparedness programs. The DILG, DOST, and DENR could form a National Water Innovation Task Force—bringing science, governance, and community action together. We already have the technology. What we need is the leadership to deploy it.

In a sense, Duque’s device represents more than a technical breakthrough—it’s a symbol of hope. It proves that Filipinos are not waiting for foreign aid or imported technology to solve our problems. We can invent our own solutions.

So perhaps the question we should now be asking is not “Can we achieve universal access to clean water?” but “When will we decide to make it happen?”

If we truly want a “Bagong Pilipinas”, let it begin with clean water flowing from every tap, every pump, and every home—a simple yet powerful sign that we care for every Filipino life.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres

iseneres@yahoo.com, senseneres.blogspot.com 03-17-2026