Water
collection was both a household concern and a shared community responsibility
in Brgy. Molobolo in the Municipality of Cauayan, Negros Occidental. Parents
and children needed to walk thirty minutes and wait at least two hours to fill
their water containers from a water source in their barangay, which would not
always cover all their daily water needs.
This water issue forced residents to
conserve water whenever possible, but even that was not always sufficient.
Water was a daily struggle, and each night, they went to bed hoping they could
find enough for the next day.
This
was the reality for Brgy. Molobolo residents until 2021, when the Alternative
Indigenous Development Foundation, Inc. (AIDFI) implemented a clean water
access project with a financial grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF).
 |
Residents
of Brgy. Molobolo, together with representatives of the Alternative Indigenous
Development Foundation, Inc. (AIDFI)
|
and The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF), stand in
front of the Agos Water Tank |
How water started flowing in Brgy. Molobolo
For
Brgy. Molobolo, AIDFI used a gravity-fed water system to bring water closer to
residents. The project connected a pipeline from the elevated water source,
allowing the water to flow down to shared tapstands within the community and
helping eliminate the need for a half-hour walk and two-hour wait at the
stream. Additionally, water filters are provided to households to block debris
and prevent bacteria from passing through.
Access
to water has brought comfort to the residents. No longer burdened by the
physically demanding task of water collection, they can enjoy the safety and
security of having water at their doorstep.
The
availability of safe water has also positively impacted community programs,
including feeding programs that improve residents' health and nutrition.
Convenient access to safe water reduces the health risks associated with
collecting and consuming water from distant and potentially contaminated
sources. This improvement in water accessibility has enhanced their quality of
life and fostered a sense of community well-being and progress.
“Ngayon,
sa bahay na lang kami naghihintay. May schedule pero sufficient talaga yung
tubig. Hindi na kami
mahirapan na [pumila] at pumunta sa malayo para mag-igib [ng tubig],” Myren
Edoria, a resident of Brgy. Molobolo, said. (Now, we
only wait in our home. There is a schedule, but this time the supply of water
is sufficient. We don’t need to fall in line and go to faraway places just to
collect water.)
From project beneficiaries to water stewards
The
barangay captain of Brgy. Molobolo has advocated for their community to gain
access to safe water. His dedication to securing water access and security for
the community led him to apply for the Agos Project with TCCF and AIDFI in the
first place. This initiative, aligning with the community's urgent need for
clean water, garnered immediate and enthusiastic support from the residents.
Inspired
by their barangay captain's leadership, the residents have transformed that
passion into proactive stewardship, taking responsibility for protecting and
managing their water resources to ensure the sustainability of the project's
benefits for future generations.
 |
Brgy. Molobolo residents with representatives of the AIDFI
and TCCF at the successful handover of the Agos Project
They formed an
association and created a schedule system for everyone in the barangay to
access clean water. They also coordinate with local partners to test and ensure
the water's safety. To secure their water source, they implement policies
protecting it from potential threats.
Clean and safe water for future generations
As
the primary philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company, The Coca-Cola
Foundation aims to support local and global changemakers leaving a measurable
and lasting impact in areas around the world by investing in transformative
ideas and institutions that address some of the most pressing global
challenges.
For more information on the initiatives of The Coca-Cola
Foundation, visit the company’s social media channels and its website
