FEMSA supports water sanitation and hygiene in Samar

MANILA, Philippines - Marabut is a seaside town in Samar, one of the provinces in the Eastern Visayas that was among the worst hit by super typhoon Yolanda. The main sources of water in this fifth-class municipality are deep wells and mountain springs. In the wake of Yolanda, one of the myriad problems that emerged was contaminated water.

In Barangay Mabuhay in Marabut, a small group of women are gathered in a tent, pitched not far from shore. They are volunteer mothers who came to listen to a “mother leader,” also called a “cascade leader.” With the aid of a flip chart, she lectures on the importance of clean water as well as proper hygiene and sanitation.

The lessons, which are presented in the vernacular, are basic and simple. For example: “Drinking water collected from a public source that’s not been filtered is dangerous to your health. Always filter your drinking water.”  

Step-by-step instructions are given on how to safely store water, as well as information on the different ways of water purification such as by boiling, adding Aquatab or chlorine, or through solar disinfection.

Coca-Cola FEMSA (Fomento Economico Mexicano), the largest beverage company in Mexico and Latin America and the largest independent Coca-Cola bottler in the world, supported the activity. As its philanthropic arm, the FEMSA Foundation works with communities around the world, developing water-based projects that promote the correct use of water.

Early this year, Coca-Cola FEMSA launched a CSR initiative that focuses on water sanitation and hygiene promotion in Samar. Working together with the relief and development organization, Food for the Hungry Philippines, the program is designed to help educate the victims of typhoon Yolanda on the importance of good and proper hygiene.

FEMSA employs the WASH intervention methodology. External communications and CSR manager Cat Avelino explains, “WASH is an acronym which stands for water, access, sanitation and hygiene.”

Education is an important component of the program. Funding was allocated for the preparation of instructional materials. Community participation is part of the strategy. Neighborhood circles were formed. Volunteers are trained, who in turn disseminate or “cascade” their learning to the rest of the community.

The most important lesson they’ve learned is the importance of cleanliness, says Maricel Santos Pardilan, 44. She is one of the “cascade leaders.”  “We need to clean our surroundings,” she says. “We need to wash our hands with germicidal soap. Instead of dipping our hands in a basin of water when washing, we should use a dipper (tabo) instead to pour the water and let it run over our hands.”

A hand-washing facility was constructed next to the so-called “child-friendly space,” a tent where the children of families affected by the typhoon can “play games, receive counseling, and find refuge in a learning environment,” explains Lawrence Espina, Food for the Hungry, Health sector head. Proper hand washing is important to help prevent the spread of disease and illness. After Yolanda, there was a high incidence of diarrhea due to contamination and the lack of clean water, Espina relates.

Nine adopted barangays in Marabut were identified as recipients of a Sawyer water filtration system. These are portable and easy to use. These can also be cleaned and reused, Espina says.

FEMSA is also providing funding support to “Food for the Hungry Philippines” for the installation of two water-treatment systems that will benefit some 4,400 typhoon-displaced families in Marabut and Basey in Western Samar.

The situation can only become worse if attention is not given to the need for clean water and proper hygiene and sanitary practices, Espina says. Access to clean and safe water in rural communities will result in better health and improve their standard of living.