The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Asian Development Bank joined efforts to promote risk-based approach to sanitation systems through sanitation safety planning (SSP). The Maynilad Water Services Incorporated and Baliwag Water District participate in the introduction and piloting of SSP in the Philippines from 2014 to 2015. Lessons learned has contributed in the finalization of the WHO Guidelines on Sanitation Safety Planning published in 2015.
“This innovative approach on sanitation provides a new dimension in managing human wastes as a means to protect public health”, according to Engr. Bonifacio Magtibay, Technical Officer of WHO Philippines. Adequate sanitation is essential for the protection and promotion of the health of individuals and communities, and enables productive and dignified lives. Access to basic sanitation, linked to proper collection, appropriate treatment, safe and disposal and reuse, can substantially reduce diarrhea, intestinal worm infections and other related water- and vector-borne disease.
Based on the global trend in sanitation coverage, the global coverage in 2015 is estimated to be about 68%, which is off the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) sanitation target of 77%. As of end of 2015, around 2.4 billion people still have no access to an improved sanitation facility, with 1.5 billion of them living in Asia and the Pacific region (WHO and UNICEF, 2015). For the Philippines, only 74% of the population enjoyed the use of improved sanitation facilities at the end of MDG, leaving 26 million Filipinos at risk.
Through the SSP process, the pilot water utilities identified the risks on health associated with the operation of their sanitation systems. To reduce or remove the risks identified, corresponding control measures were proposed in their improvement plans. Key stakeholders participated also in the risk reduction efforts. Systems and procedures recommended by WHO Guidelines were followed and satisfactorily completed in 2015. With the success of these pilots, it is envisaged that other utilities and service providers will follow the steps undertaken by Maynilad Water Services Incorporated and Baliwag Water Districts.