By Stacy Ang

MANILA, Philippines — A new partnership agreement was inked between Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines Inc. (CCFPI) and Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF) in December 2019 to boost water supply for 4,000 individuals in three project sites in the Philippines.

The second phase of the Scaling Up Program for Social Enterprises on Water Services or SCALE UP Water will provide residents of Kalamansig and Lebak in Sultan Kudarat, and Bansalan, Davao del Sur with potable water through a grant of P 12.7 million.

According to Amaris Cabason, PEF program officer, the next phase will bank on the success of its first phase, which brought water supply to 13,000 individuals in different municipalities across the country.

“Before the program, households had to fetch their own water from open sources or handpumps or buy water at high prices. Through the SCALE UP Water program, these households now have access to safe and affordable water,” she said.

From 2016-2018, PEF and CCFPI provided Php 22 million worth of grants to local water cooperatives for six water projects in South Cotabato, Davao, Cebu, and Surigao.

These cooperatives developed new water sources, supplied water to their existing service area 24/7, accepted new applications for connection, and equipped their members on how to sustain the project.

PEF Executive Director Roberto Calingo and CCFPI Executive Director Cecil Alcantara signed the MoU, together with PEF Partnership and Programs Manager Dennis Omar Salvo and CCFPI Program Officer Monina Pacheco. (STACY ANG/IAMIGO/Currentph.com)