Expanding Water Access in Urban Poor Communities
Summary
Manila Water's "Tubig Para sa Barangay" program provides clean, affordable water connections to underserved urban neighborhoods, leveraging community partnerships to achieve equitable access.
In Manila, the capital of the Philippines, urban population growth has intensified challenges in providing safe and affordable water to low-income neighborhoods, known locally as "barangays." Before the program, residents in these areas relied on unreliable and costly water sources, including private vendors who charged high rates for water often of questionable quality. This disparity left low-income households burdened by high costs and exposed to health risks associated with unclean water.
Intervention
The "Tubig Para sa Barangay" (Water for the Community) program, led by Manila Water, an urban water utility, aimed to address these challenges through community-based water access solutions. Manila Water worked with local communities to develop customized, low-cost water distribution systems that deliver piped water directly to households in underserved barangays (the smallest administrative division in the Philippines, similar to an inner city neighborhood). Manila Water initiated this program in partnership with local government units, barangay leaders, and international development agencies. Recognizing the urgent need for equitable urban water access, the government encouraged water utilities to prioritize low-income areas, while community leaders played an essential role in building local trust and involvement.
The program involves constructing localized water infrastructure, including pipelines and metered connections, tailored to the needs and conditions of each community. To minimize water loss (non-revenue water) from leaks and theft, the program uses smart metering and regular monitoring. Each household is provided with a connection and a meter to ensure equitable usage and billing. Manila Water collaborated with local barangay leaders to identify water access needs, gain community support, and establish tariff structures that are affordable for residents. Community members received training on managing water connections and monitoring systems, which strengthened community ownership and accountability.
To keep costs low, Manila Water partially subsidizes connection fees and offers low-interest payment plans for households. International donors and local government support also help fund infrastructure costs, making the program more financially sustainable.
Challenges
As infrastructure ages, maintenance costs increase, creating sustainability challenges that require ongoing financial resources. Moreover, engaging community members in system maintenance and usage monitoring requires sustained outreach and education. Finally, balancing low tariffs with the need to cover infrastructure and operational costs presents a long-term challenge as the program scales up.
Outcomes
Since its launch, "Tubig Para sa Barangay" has expanded access to over 1.8 million people across various barangays in Manila. The program has become a model for other Philippine cities grappling with urban water challenges, with plans to scale further across the Manila metropolitan area. The program has significantly reduced reliance on expensive, unregulated water vendors. Moreover, with regulated, clean water, communities have anecdotally reported reductions in waterborne diseases and improved overall health. Finally, affordable tariffs and the elimination of costly private vendor fees have lowered monthly water expenses for many households.
References
Expanding Water Access in Urban Poor Communities
Summary
Manila Water's "Tubig Para sa Barangay" program provides clean, affordable water connections to underserved urban neighborhoods, leveraging community partnerships to achieve equitable access.
In Manila, the capital of the Philippines, urban population growth has intensified challenges in providing safe and affordable water to low-income neighborhoods, known locally as "barangays." Before the program, residents in these areas relied on unreliable and costly water sources, including private vendors who charged high rates for water often of questionable quality. This disparity left low-income households burdened by high costs and exposed to health risks associated with unclean water.
Issue
Intervention
The "Tubig Para sa Barangay" (Water for the Community) program, led by Manila Water, an urban water utility, aimed to address these challenges through community-based water access solutions. Manila Water worked with local communities to develop customized, low-cost water distribution systems that deliver piped water directly to households in underserved barangays (the smallest administrative division in the Philippines, similar to an inner city neighborhood). Manila Water initiated this program in partnership with local government units, barangay leaders, and international development agencies. Recognizing the urgent need for equitable urban water access, the government encouraged water utilities to prioritize low-income areas, while community leaders played an essential role in building local trust and involvement.
The program involves constructing localized water infrastructure, including pipelines and metered connections, tailored to the needs and conditions of each community. To minimize water loss (non-revenue water) from leaks and theft, the program uses smart metering and regular monitoring. Each household is provided with a connection and a meter to ensure equitable usage and billing. Manila Water collaborated with local barangay leaders to identify water access needs, gain community support, and establish tariff structures that are affordable for residents. Community members received training on managing water connections and monitoring systems, which strengthened community ownership and accountability.
To keep costs low, Manila Water partially subsidizes connection fees and offers low-interest payment plans for households. International donors and local government support also help fund infrastructure costs, making the program more financially sustainable.
Challenges
As infrastructure ages, maintenance costs increase, creating sustainability challenges that require ongoing financial resources. Moreover, engaging community members in system maintenance and usage monitoring requires sustained outreach and education. Finally, balancing low tariffs with the need to cover infrastructure and operational costs presents a long-term challenge as the program scales up.
Outcomes
Since its launch, "Tubig Para sa Barangay" has expanded access to over 1.8 million people across various barangays in Manila. The program has become a model for other Philippine cities grappling with urban water challenges, with plans to scale further across the Manila metropolitan area. The program has significantly reduced reliance on expensive, unregulated water vendors. Moreover, with regulated, clean water, communities have anecdotally reported reductions in waterborne diseases and improved overall health. Finally, affordable tariffs and the elimination of costly private vendor fees have lowered monthly water expenses for many households.
Issues |
|---|
Water Scarcity and Access |
Solutions |
|---|
Affordable & Inclusive Water Access |
Infrastructure & System Improvements |
References
Manila Water Company, Inc. (2022, October 27). Manila Water’s TPSB program brings 24/7 water supply to marginalized communities. Retrieved from https://www.manilawater.com/corporate/agos/2022-10-27/manila-water-s-tpsb-program-brings-24-7-water-supply-to-marginalized-communities
Manila Water Company, Inc. (2023, February 17). Manila Water’s Tubig Para sa Barangay continues to expand services to marginalized communities in the East Zone. Retrieved from https://www.manilawater.com/corporate/agos/2023-02-17/manila-water-s-tubig-para-sa-barangay-continues-to-expand-services-to-marginalized-communities-in-the-east-zone
Philippine News Agency. (2023, February 17). Manila Water provides service improvements to 1.8M Filipinos. Retrieved from https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1195456
Manila Bulletin. (2023, February 19). Manila Water maintains service for 1.8 M poor Filipinos. Retrieved from https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/19/manila-water-maintains-service-for-1-8-m-poor-filipinos/
Manila Water Company, Inc. (2023, March 28). Manila Water provides sustainable water to low-income households in Boracay through the Tubig Para sa Barangay Program. Retrieved from https://www.manilawater.com/corporate/agos/2023-03-28/manila-water-provides-sustainable-water-to-low-income-households-in-boracay-through-the-tubig-para-sa-barangay-program
Manila Water Company, Inc. (2019). Helping build communities and safeguarding customers’ health. In Manila Water Integrated Report 2019. Retrieved from https://reports.manilawater.com/2019/sustainability-at-manila-water/helping-build-communities-and-safeguarding-customers-health
Manila Water Company, Inc. (2020). Helping build communities. In Manila Water Integrated Report 2020. Retrieved from https://reports.manilawater.com/2020/sustainability-at-manila-water/helping-build-communities