In a partnership with Cabanatuan City Rotary, Werribee Rotary completed two productive projects in the Philippines. In September 2024 a very successful WASH (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene) project was completed at the Ibona Elementary School at Dingalan, on the east coast of Luzon. The school is in a low-income village area, with 600 children and 19 classrooms. As the school's piped water supply system was no longer operational and the childred needed to carry buckets of water to their classroom each day to flush the toilet in the small 'comfort room' at the rear of their classroom, Cabanatuan City RC had proposed a WASH Project to ensure safe and clean piped water.
With the support of a D9800 Rotary International Foundation Grant of $4,775, Werribee Rotary funded the $15,000 Project. The project involved
the construction of a water tank and tower, a new bore with electric pump, an outdoor ‘comfort room’ with male/female toilets, a large wash trough with ten drinking/hand washing taps and a water filtration system. Cabanatuan City Rotary Club completed the construction work to a high standard, on time and on budget.The project involved the construction of a water tank and tower, a new bore with electric pump, an outdoor building with two toilets a large wash trough with ten drinking/handwashing taps and a water filtration system. As a result of this Project, the water supply was reconnected to all the classroom toilets – so no more bucket carrying by the children!The project was managed by Cabanatuan City Rotary President Ronald Garcia, while Secretary (and architect) Rogie Cunanan, did the design work, cost estimates and helped supervise the building progress. In addition, Cabanatuan City Rotary was successful in obtaining a District 3770 (Philippines) Grant of 50,000 pesos ($1,268) for a water filtration system at the wash trough, to provide a much safer drinking water supply. Very prominent WASH Project signage was installed, both at the wash trough and on the water tank stand at the school fence, alongside the main road. With solar lighting installed, this spectacular Rotary promotional sign on the water tower is on show 24/7 to the passing traffic.
On Sept 12th Werribee Rotarian, Michael Redding joined the Cabanatuan City Rotarians at the school as part of the WASH Project ‘Turnover’ opening ceremony. The two Clubs have established a wonderful collaborative partnership, which started in 2022-23 with our Orphanage School Classroom Equipment Project at the Bahay Ni San Jose Orphanage in Papaya.
The local Rotary club has foreshadowed its interest for a new project to establish a Rotary Community Corps at Nueva Ecija High School. The Community Corps would comprise Students, the Parents’ Association and Rotarians working together for the installation of a water filtration system at the school, providing safe drinking water for the 5,000 students and to raise funds for the Parents’ Association and the Rotary Club.
If your Club is considering a project in the Philippines, then you are welcome to contact Michael Redding at Werribee Rotary Club for more information and ideas.
