SAVING LIVES – Manila Water Foundation recently turned over 275 solar bags to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Be Secure project through Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP). The solar bags, which can treat water, will be sent to an island barangay in Maluso, Basilan which is currently experiencing a water crisis due to an attack on its municipal water district. In photo (from left) are Manila Water Foundation executive director Carla May Beriña-Kim, PBSP Portfolio manager for Environment Leilani B. Mc Donough, and Manila Water Disaster Risk Reduction manager, Xavier Cruz.

Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc. and Manila Water Foundation have extended assistance to residents of Maluso town in Basilan which is currently under a water supply emergency following an attack on its water district facilities.

Manila Water Foundation donated 275 solar bags to the island barangay of Gaunan.  The solar bags, which can treat three liters of water using sunlight and be reused 800 times, will enable families to tap on any natural source like a river or a stream during water crises.

Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines also pledged to send out 2,292 bottles of Wilkins 6L to townsfolk to help address the need for potable water and prevent water-borne diseases that may occur as a result of clean water shortage.

This initiative which was done in coordination with the  U.S. Embassy Manila’s United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through its Water Security for Resilient Economic Growth and Stability (Be Secure) Project and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).

Water supply was cut after a group of armed men bombed Maluso Water District using an improvised explosive device, damaging major pipes that serve the whole town and affecting more than 7,195 households. The bombing also prompted schools to suspend classes. The recent attack was the third and most destructive of a series of raids on the town’s water supply by bandits.

Fortunately, 30 percent of the system has already been repaired amid rumors of further attacks. In spite of this, no threat will stop concerned companies and organizations such as Coca-Cola Philippines and Manila Water Foundation from helping the people of Maluso.