The WASH component of Roots to Shoots (RTS) led by Manila Water Foundation presented a proposal on the development of a Sustainable Sanitation Plan (SSP) for the local government of Pasacao on May 12.
Pasacao Mayor Niño Tayco and the unit heads of Municipal Planning, Engineering, MENRO, and Health and Nutrition attended the workshop. The discussion led to the commitment of Mayor Tayco to include the SSP in his legacy projects, thus allotting more resources to the implementation of proper sanitation systems and facilities for toilet-less households in Pasacao. Moreover, this milestone moves Pasacao closer to the national government’s goal towards Zero Open Defecation (ZOD) in 2025.
This show of commitment from the Pasacao LGU would have a great impact to the desired behavioral change and a more sustainable impact in the RTS Theory of Change. The development of the SSP will be part of the commitment of the WASH component for the second year of implementation.
Roots to Shoots
RTS is a multi-stakeholder, multi-sectoral initiative of the Pilipinas Shell Foundation, World Vision Philippines and Manila Water Foundation. Piloting in the Municipalities of Bombon and Pasacao in Camarines Sur, RTS is aimed at nurturing and transforming human potential by fostering the right conditions for child development especially in its earliest stages. It is composed of three components: mother and child care (MCC), farming and sustainable livelihood (FSL) and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).