16M Pinoys have no access to safe water

MANILA (Xinhua) – About 16 million Filipinos lack access to safe and sustainable water supply, derailing the country’s growth, President Benigno S. Aquino III said Tuesday.

"The shortfalls in the quantity and quality of infrastructure, including water supply and sanitation facilities, are critical constraints to our economic growth and poverty alleviation measures," Aquino said in his speech on Millennium Development Goals achievement.

Aquino said despite fund allocations for water, the number of waterless municipalities outside Metro Manila has increased.

The Philippine government however is continuously working to enhance the delivery of water, particularly to 36 waterless municipalities in 12 provinces.