ADDRESSING THE SANITATION PROBLEM IN BARANGAY POTOL: A CALL FOR

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACTION

Barangays, the smallest administrative divisions in the Philippines, serve as the

backbone of the nation. They are the first line of defense in addressing societal issues.
One such pressing issue is the provision of facilities for poor households, especially
when public health and safety require it. The barangay is in a unique position to identify
and address the needs of its constituents. This responsibility is supported by the Local
Government Code of the Philippines of 1991, or Republic Act No. 7160. The act
mandates barangays to provide basic services and to perform other duties and
functions as prescribed by law or ordinance. However, not all households in barangays
across the Philippines have a comfort room. The situation of four poor households in
Barangay Potol, Dapitan City, serves as an example of this. The absence of basic
sanitation facilities is not merely an inconvenience; it is a breach of fundamental human
rights. The United Nations recognizes access to water and sanitation as essential
human rights. Residents of the locality have a responsibility to uphold these rights.

In an interview conducted with the barangay officials of Potol, it was revealed that
there are households in Tambak that do not have a comfort room. The reason for this is
the financial difficulties these households face and the physical condition of the area.
Tambak is a damp area in Potol, characterized by a wet or slick surface. Barangay Potol
provided materials such as (list of materials). However, these are not the only
requirements. The establishment of a comfort room in damp areas requires challenging
steps such as the construction of feces storage or a septic tank and ventilation. Due to
the incapacity of these households to do this, according to the Barangay Secretary of
Potol, Mrs. Maria Venia N. Padao, they go to other places or comfort rooms to release
their waste. In the worst-case scenario, they just release their waste into the waters.
Barangay officials of Potol claim that it is not the obligation of the Barangay anymore to
solve this construction problem as they have already provided some materials.
However, studies highlight the public health risks associated with bacteria in water
contaminated with human waste. In a certification issued by the City Government of
Dapitan in 2023, Barangay Potol is not among the barangays with Zero Open
Defecation (ZOD). This issue is not something ordinary households can handle alone,
and thus requires barangay initiatives.

The absence of comfort rooms in four households in Potol is a public health

concern. That's why this paper argues that Barangay Potol, as a local government, is in
a unique position to continuously support and address the needs for the establishment
of comfort rooms. There are three main reasons for this: firstly, to uphold basic human
rights; secondly, to improve public health; and lastly, to foster societal progress.
 The barangay is in a unique position to identify and address the needs of its
constituents. This is supported by Section 392 of Republic Act 7160, which mandates
barangays to provide basic services and to perform other duties and functions as
prescribed by law or ordinance. City Ordinance No. 2022-495, titled "An Ordinance
Requiring All Households in the City of Dapitan to Comply with the Zero Open
Defecation (ZOD), Providing for its Guidelines and Penalties for Violation Thereof,"
states in Section 5, General and Administrative Provision, Paragraph (f) that "Every
barangay, through the Barangay Zero Open Defecation (ZOD) Task Force, shall
formulate policies and strategies to eradicate open defecation in their respective
barangay." Currently, Barangay Potol is not included in the list of barangays with Zero
Open Defecation (ZOD). This means that evidence of feces is still present in the
barangay. The absence of comfort rooms in four households can be attributed to this.
However, if Barangay Potol fulfills its functions as prescribed by this ordinance,
especially in formulating "policies and strategies" such as the establishment of comfort
rooms, this problem could be solved.

The responsibility of barangays to build comfort rooms for poor households is a

way to uphold basic human rights because it directly addresses the right to sanitation
and health, and indirectly promotes the rights to dignity, safety, and participation in
community development. For instance, a project in Dolores town in Eastern Samar
province aimed at building well-constructed and clean communal toilets. This initiative
not only provided a basic necessity but also protected human dignity and promoted
women's safety. It shows how the provision of sanitation facilities can contribute to the
realization of several human rights, including the right to an adequate standard of living,
the right to health, and the right to privacy and dignity. This case highlights the
importance of local initiatives in upholding basic human rights, especially in contexts
where resources are limited and needs are high.

The obligation of barangays to build comfort rooms for poor households is a

significant way to improve public health because it directly addresses sanitation and
hygiene issues, which are key determinants of health outcomes. Lack of proper
sanitation facilities can lead to the spread of diseases, and providing these facilities can
help to reduce the prevalence of such health problems. For example, the Manila Water
Foundation, through the Roots to Shoots (RTS) program with Pilipinas Shell Foundation
and World Vision, turned over 17 new handwashing facilities, one toilet facility, and five
water tanks to different barangay health centers and public spaces in Bombon and
Pasacao, Camarines Sur. The facilities aimed to promote proper hygiene to support the
first two years of life, a critical period for child development and health. This example
provides evidence of how the provision of comfort rooms by barangays can improve
public health by promoting sanitation and hygiene, preventing the spread of diseases,
and enhancing the overall wellbeing of the community.
 The responsibility of barangays to construct comfort rooms for impoverished
households can significantly contribute to societal advancement. This responsibility not
only meets immediate health and sanitation needs but also encourages community
involvement and sustainable development, all of which are fundamental components of
societal progress. A clear example of this is the community-based monitoring system
(CBMS) that was piloted in two barangays in Pandi, Bulacan. This initiative
demonstrates how communities can actively participate in policy-making, program
implementation, and local impact monitoring. This approach enhances societal progress
by empowering community members, fostering transparency, and ensuring that local
policies and programs cater to the community's needs. This example illustrates how
barangay efforts to provide comfort rooms for economically disadvantaged households
can foster societal progress by promoting health, dignity, community engagement, and
sustainable development.

By examining these cases and examples, we can infer that Barangay Potol, as a
local government, could undertake similar efforts. It could do more than just provide
some facilities. It could offer financial assistance and manpower for the completion of
the establishment of comfort rooms.

Some may argue that the responsibility of establishing comfort rooms in

Barangay Potol lies solely with each household. However, in matters of public concern,
such as public health, barangays should take the initiative. Some studies provided
evidences that risks associated with bacteria in water contaminated with human waste
is a public health concern. A study on human fecal pollution and microbial risk found out
that public health risks are associated with exposure to fecal microorganisms in water in
the Philippines. Another study "Microbial Indicators of Fecal Pollution: Recent Progress
and Challenges in Assessing Water Quality," by David A. Holcomb and Jill R. (2020)
found that fecal contamination of water is a major public health concern.

Section 16 of the Local Government Code of 1991 allows every local government
to exercise powers necessary, appropriate, or incidental for its efficient and effective
governance, and those which are essential to the promotion of the general welfare. It
states that local government units shall ensure and support the promotion of health and
safety within their respective territorial jurisdictions. Constructing comfort rooms to avoid
diseases is for the general welfare, and general welfare signifies public health.

Section 17 of the same Code states that barangays are mandated to provide a
range of basic services, including but not limited to: (iii) Services and facilities related to
general hygiene and sanitation, beautification, and solid waste collection. Services
provided for general hygiene and sanitation lie with the barangay, not the households,
though they can make collaborative efforts.
 Some might also argue that Barangay Potol cannot handle the cost of installing
comfort rooms for these households because it is too expensive. However, this only
sounds like an excuse because if they want to, there is always a way. Section 391 of the
Local Government Code of 1991 states that the Sangguniang Barangay, as the
legislative body of the barangay, shall have the powers, duties, and functions to: (4)
Provide for the construction and maintenance of barangay facilities and other public
works projects chargeable to the general fund of the barangay or such other funds
actually available for the purpose; (5) Submit to the Sangguniang Panlungsod or
Sangguniang Bayan such suggestions or recommendations as it may see fit for the
improvement of the barangay or for the welfare of the inhabitants thereof; and (11) Hold
fundraising activities for barangay projects without the need for securing permits from
any national or local office or agency. Therefore, Barangay Potol, if it truly desired, has
the necessary legal provisions and means to overcome financial constraints and
support the establishment of comfort rooms for these households.

The paper discusses the role of Barangays, the smallest administrative divisions
in the Philippines, in addressing the lack of basic sanitation facilities in poor households.
It uses Barangay Potol, Dapitan City as a case study, where four households lack
comfort rooms due to financial difficulties and challenging geographical conditions. The
absence of such facilities is a violation of basic human rights and poses a significant
public health risk. The Local Government Code of the Philippines and City Ordinance
No. 2022-495 mandate Barangays to provide basic services, including sanitation
facilities, to their constituents. However, Barangay Potol has not fulfilled this obligation,
resulting in open defecation and water contamination. The paper argues that Barangay
Potol should take more proactive measures, such as providing financial assistance and
manpower, to establish comfort rooms and uphold basic human rights, improve public
health, and foster societal progress.

The lack of comfort rooms in poor households in Barangay Potol is a public

health concern that requires immediate action from the local government. The
Barangay, as mandated by local laws and ordinances, has the responsibility to ensure
the establishment of these facilities to uphold basic human rights, improve public health,
and promote societal progress. The argument that the responsibility lies solely with
households is invalid in the face of public health concerns. Moreover, financial
constraints should not be an excuse for inaction as legal provisions exist to overcome
such challenges.

This paper suggests that: (1) Barangay Potol should take advantage of the legal
provisions in the Local Government Code of 1991 to provide financial assistance and
manpower for the construction of comfort rooms in poor households when public health
and safety requires it; (2) The Barangay should formulate policies and strategies to
eradicate open defecation in their area, as mandated by City Ordinance No. 2022-495;
(3) The Barangay should collaborate with households in the construction and
maintenance of comfort rooms to promote community involvement and sustainable
development; (4) Barangay Potol should consider fundraising activities to finance the
establishment of sanitation facilities; (5) The Barangay should study and learn from
successful initiatives in other areas, such as the community-based monitoring system in
Pandi, Bulacan, and the sanitation project in Dolores town, Eastern Samar province;
and (6) The Barangay should work closely with health centers and other relevant
organizations to promote proper hygiene and prevent the spread of diseases.
The establishment of Comfort Rooms for poor households is not just a matter of
convenience; it is a matter of human rights, public health, and societal progress. It is an
investment in the future of the nation that will yield significant returns in terms of
improved health, dignity, and quality of life.
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