Coca-Cola, US Government Partner to Improve Water Access

The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) , Coca-Cola Philippines through the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc. (CCFPI) and the U.S. government, have entered into a partnership that will enable more Filipinos to access safe drinking water

Ms. Gloria D. Steele, Mission Director of U.S. Embassy Manila's United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Mr. Diego Granizo, Chairman of the Coca-Cola Foundation, and Mr. Roberto Umali, Member of the PBSP Board of Trustees signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly work towards groundwater replenishment, freshwater source expansion, and community water access projects in areas covered by the USAID's Water Security for Resilient Economic Growth (Be Secure) Project, namely Leyte, Iloilo, Maguindanao, Misamis Oriental and Basilan provinces on April 23.

The MOU addresses the issues of water security and sustainability of water supply and will employ technologies that are simple, low-cost and low-maintenance. These technologies include groundwater infiltration wells, pavers for groundwater recharge, rainwater harvesting and storage, flood water diversion and storage, watershed protection and rehabilitation and others; and will be implemented from 2015-2017.

A 2014 Millennium Development Goals (MDG) progress report shows that although the country surpassed MDG targets on safe drinking water, approximately 15.7 million Filipinos still lack access. In addition, water service providers struggle to keep pace with increased demand for water fueled by population growth and industry.

Both ground and surface water sources also face issues related to environmental degradation, contamination from untreated industrial and domestic waste water, and threat from climate change. A study conducted by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture revealed that groundwater, a common source of water in cities, municipalities and rural areas in the Philippines may be depleted by the year 2050.

"The U.S. government recognizes that managing water in a sound and sustainable manner saves lives and advances development. USAID programs have a long history of using innovative advances in technology and creating partnerships with the private sector to increase water availability and quality," said Director Steele. "We are pleased to again partner with Coca-Cola to continue our shared commitment in the water sector."

Demonstrating a partnership that is good for the planet, the U.S. government, through USAID, continues to work with the Philippine government to improve access to water. Under the Be Secure Project, USAID promotes good governance and builds capacity for long-term water security, improved access to water and wastewater treatment services, and build more resilient communities.

The Coca-Cola Foundation supports the global water stewardship goal of The Coca-Cola Company to safely return to nature and to communities an amount of water equivalent to what it uses in all its beverage and production by 2020.

Source: GOVPH

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Taxonomy

• Water Management
• Drinking Water
• Governance & Planning