In celebration of the National Disaster Resilience Month, ABS-CBN Foundation- Sagip Kapamilya, an emergency humanitarian assistance program, recently signed an agreement with Manila Water Foundation.
This partnership aims to help Filipinos who are vulnerable on disaster and calamities. It is a way of helping our fellows to be back in their feet and start a new path of their lives.
In photo (L-R) Janine Carreon, Trustee of Manila Water Foundation, Higino Dungo, Program Director of ABS-CBN Foundation- Sagip Kapamilya, Susan Afan, Managing Director of ABS-CBN Foundation, Reginald Andal, Executive Director of Manila Water Foundation
As a country located along the typhoon belt and Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines is at high risk from calamities such as typhoons, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes. In response to this, Manila Water Foundation formed Agapay, a disaster response program that addresses the water supply and sanitation needs of communities affected by disasters and calamities.
For years, ABS-CBN Foundation Sagip Kapamilya has been very active in Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Operations. It provides food and non-food relief to affected communities of disasters as well as engage in rehabilitation and disaster risk reduction projects.
The partnership of these two entities plays an important role on giving hope and rebuilding lives of Filipinos affected by disaster and calamities. “Napakalaking bagay at kami ay natutuwa na ang ABS-CBN Foundation ay partner na namin. Ang Manila Water Foundation ang bahala sa tubig at ang ABS-CBN Foundation ang bahala sa logistical arrangements at sa pagpapadala sa mga lugar at sa mga malalayong lugar na nangangailangan,” said Reginald Andal, Executive Director of Manila Water Foundation.
Agapay provides two sub-programs as response to disaster, Agapay Tubig and Agapay Sanitasyon. Agapay Tubig focuses on water supply distribution. It can be in the form of bottled drinking water, water tankers or Mobile Treatment Plans. On the other hand, Agapay Sanitasyon provides sanitation inventions such as transitional toilet, wash sinks, and hygiene kits to individuals who were displaced from their homes and communities.
Water is essential in life. It is part of everyone’s daily routine. A little shortage to this necessity will cost a huge impact in one’s living. Erleo Bacabac, Social Development Manager of Sagip Kapamilya, emphasized the need of water in relief and rehabilitation operations. “Sa mga calamity-stricken communities natin [na] pinupuntahan, yung tubig yung unang pangangailangan. Kaya yung tubig na mababahagi sa atin ng Manila Water ay malaking tulong para sa mga kapamilya po natin,”
Manila Water Foundation believes on the importance of Water Access, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) to all communities. To achieve this, they geared up the Agapay program. Since its full implementation, Agapay has helped 348, 793 individuals all over the Philippines. With its partnership with Sagip Kapamilya that conducts relief and rehabilitation efforts, Agapay will be able to reach and help more Filipinos.
ABS-CBN Foundation and Manila Water Foundation commit to take part in building a disaster-resilient Philippines.