It has been eight (08) months already since severe tropical storm Super Typhoon Odette (International Name: Rai) devastated large parts of the Visayas-Mindanao, making access to clean drinking water, basic hygiene, and sanitation services still intermittent in affected areas in Siargao.
Last 25 August 2022, Cebu Pacific traveled to Caub Island in Del Carmen, Siargao together with Waves for Water Philippines, and local government representatives led by Mayor Alfredo M. Coro II, to provide clean water access through the implementation of filtration systems and a rainwater catchment tank to increase drinking water capacity.
The airline sustained its assistance after working in December 2021 with global humanitarian aid organization Waves for Water in transporting over 2 tons (1,447 units) worth of water filtration systems free of charge, across seven affected provinces, namely Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Palawan, Southern Leyte, and Surigao del Norte.
The 502-household community in Caub primarily relies on rainwater — a source that can easily be contaminated due to storage and surrounding land uses.
Waves for Water representatives taught community leaders how to properly use the water filters and also conducted a WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) education session.
“As rehabilitation efforts continue, Cebu Pacific remains committed to pursue its Bayanihan initiatives whenever needed across our wide domestic network. We stand by our commitment to continuously provide better service, not just to our passengers, but to the communities that we fly to,” according to Carmina Romero, Cebu Pacific’s Director for Corporate Communications.
Waves for Water filtration system is effective in making rainwater and other cloudy liquid fit for human consumption. At 0.1 micron absolute, the filters make it possible to drink from a water source without the risk of any life-threatening contaminants passing through — preventing the spread of waterborne diseases and severe dehydration.
“Waves For Water’s collaboration with Cebu Pacific has paved the way for us to reach more underserved communities throughout the Philippines. The joint effort is a testament to the organization’s ethos of serving as a platform for strategic partnerships that will make clean water access a reality for all Filipinos across the archipelago,” said Jenica Dizon, Waves For Water Philippines Country Director.