A non-profit organization is calling on the government to ensure access to safe water for every child and to combat what it describes as widespread corruption.
In an emailed statement, the Safe Water for Every Child-Philippines (SWFEC-Ph) expressed outrage at the “egregious theft of trillions of pesos” intended for vital infrastructure and social services.
Charlito Manlupig, volunteer CEO of SWFEC-Ph, said the group is appalled by the greed of corrupt officials while citizens are left to struggle against floods and poverty.
“The trillions of pesos stolen by corrupt government officials and contractors are not just numbers on paper; they are also stolen wells, pipes and water tanks, and stolen futures,” Manlupig said.
He added: “This is more than corruption; it is syndicated theft of hope from every Filipino child who struggles to survive without access to safe drinking water.”
The group demanded accountability and justice, urging the Filipino people to unite in the pursuit of a just, equitable, and peaceful society.
“We demand accountability and justice for the Filipino people. Together, we continue to struggle for transparency, integrity, and the fair distribution of resources essential for the well-being of every child,” Manlupig said.
In the same statement, the group said that access to clean water is a basic human right that “cannot be postponed.”
“Responding concretely to the urgent need for safe water cannot be postponed; it is a necessity that should be accessible to every Filipino child,” said Manlupig.
