Negros Occidental – The Negros Occidental provincial government is offering incentives to local government units (LGUs) that achieve zero open defecation (ZOD) status. This status is attained when all households in a barangay have access to sanitary toilet facilities, thereby eliminating open defecation and preventing human feces exposure in the environment. Provincial health officer Dr. Ma. Girlie Pinongan announced on Tuesday that La Carlota City and San Enrique have already reached this milestone.
According to Philippines News Agency, Dr. Pinongan, achieving a ZOD status has been a collective effort, and over 40 of the province's 601 barangays now hold this status. The Provincial Health Office (PHO) acknowledged the achievement of these two LGUs, awarding them a cash incentive of PHP100,000 each. Each barangay within these LGUs received PHP20,000 for this achievement. The campaign for ZOD status is a collaboration between the province and the LGUs, with the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office's cash-for-work program providing funds to barangays for material purchase and toilet facility construction.
Dr. Pinongan stressed the importance of community involvement, noting that families are responsible for constructing and maintaining these facilities. This ongoing campaign in Negros Occidental aligns with the Department of Health's goal of achieving adequate and equitable sanitation for all and ending open defecation, as well as the Provincial Integrated Safe Water Program, which supports the United Nations' sixth sustainable development goal of clean water and sanitation.