More good news

During these times, as the campaign for the presidential and senatorial elections officially kicks off, we still continue to be dismayed and frustrated by the political antics displayed by the candidates. One thing that stands out is the lack of sincerity and honesty in the manner of presenting their platforms and programs. The same old campaign gimmicks are used in attracting votes. It looks like we will have more of the same kind of politics of personality than politics of principles and workable platforms that promote public welfare and interest as well as protect our country’s sovereignty.

So let us just continue to concentrate on the more positive and encouraging happenings in our society. Somehow these activities carried out behind the scenes without much fanfare deserve more of our attention and appreciation. They indeed keep our hopes alive and burning that someday we will have leaders who are more concerned about promoting the welfare, interest and benefit of others, especially the needy among our countrymen rather than their own.

Worth mentioning here, once more, are people in the private sector who are virtually rendering public service. They serve their fellowmen more effectively and capably through some worldwide service-oriented organizations with a systematic and far reaching network. They are quick to respond and to address man-made or even natural problems in their community.

Foremost among these problems is the climate change now happening in this planet brought about by our own neglect and/or even intentional pollution and destruction of our environment. Due to the groaning and the wrath of nature, we are now feeling the adverse effects of the El Niño phenomenon. Extreme weather disturbances have caused destructive floods in some parts and drought in other parts of our land.

More basic and closer to home in this regard is the urgent global need to address the declining supply of water. Admittedly, we have grossly neglected to conserve water because we have taken for granted that it is a valuable resource in sustaining life itself.  In fact 90 percent of our body is composed of water as medical science has established. So the need for adequate water supply can be said to be a matter of life and death.

Another equally urgent global concern is the continuing pollution of our water and environment. There is at present also an urgent global need for clean drinking water. Over 783 million people worldwide have no access to clean drinking water. Some 2.5 billion people lack adequate sanitation facilities; and 5,000 children die every day from diseases caused by contaminated water and poor sanitation. Nearly a million deaths a year are linked to unclean, unsafe water as well as 1.5 percent of the global burden of disease. Moreover, statistics show that over 780 million people still have no access to clean water and nearly 1.9 billion lack  adequate sanitation.

Of course because of strong faith, our initial reaction is to pray to God to spare us from the harmful and even fatal effects of this global problems and difficulties now besetting us.  But as we all know, our prayers will be answered if we also do our part in solving this problem.

Hence it is quite heartening to know that the same service oriented group, which has been at the forefront of extending assistance to their fellow men, has once more responded to these needs. These are the officers and members of the Rotary International Organization (RI) led by Rotary I Rotary International President Ravi Ravindran with The Rotary Foundation Chairman, Past RI President Wilf Wilkinson.

These staggering statistics which they themselves have unearthed spurred them to organize and call for a conference dubbed as 2016 Presidential Conference on WASH scheduled on 18-19 March 2016 at the grand ballroom of Marriott Hotel, Newport City, in Pasay City. WASH stands for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene. The conference is open not only to Rotarians but also to other interested citizens in the private or public sector who may be interested and may have something to contribute.

Spearheaded by Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation, the conference will thus bring together stakeholders, thinkers, decision makers, and advocates, from the Philippines and abroad, who can move human and material resources towards solving problems related to water.

The conference will call attention to water and sanitation situations in schools in Southeast Asia, and will focus on unmet needs. It will link the lack of clean water and adequate sanitation to childhood diseases that impact health and the ability to learn. It will show how investments in water yield benefits in health, quality of life, the economy, and the environment.

To be a more effective agent of change in this global concern, the Conference, as requested by Pres. Ravi, is also inviting the private sector to participate. Water experts (from the DepEd, UNICEF and the WorldBank; Jack “Mr. Toilet” Sim, CB Governor Amando Tetangco, etc.) will share their knowledge about the problem.

A project fair will showcase best practices that can be replicated and provide a link for stakeholders to connect with, assist, and learn from one another.

The issues and challenges related to water persist. It is time for a serious discussion of these issues and challenges and kick off a global initiative to address them. The WASH conference is designed to do just that. This conference is as timely as it is urgent. Water, after all, is a need no human can do without.

And as we have seen once more, Rotarians are quick enough to discern and to take action on the urgent needs of humanity particularly in the conservation of natural resources and preservation of our environment. As a Rotarian also, it is indeed quite an honor and a pleasure to share this piece of good news. Moreover and more importantly sharing this information will greatly help in the achievement of the noble purpose of this conference.

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