42
people’s access–particularly the poor and vulnerable–to these rights.194 All these are
currently being experienced by Filipinos. Smaller islands and coastal communities
with limited freshwater resources are especially susceptible as sea level rise causes
saltwater intrusion into the fresh water source. Jesiderio Delos Reyes, a community
resource person, shared that in their town in Calatagan, saltwater seeped into deep
wells, preventing access to drinking water, and burdening families with the added
cost of buying potable water from commercial dealers.195
The rise in temperature and extreme heat has caused drinking water sources to dry
up. Elicer Lauce testified that it is now difficult to acquire drinking water because
the springs are drying-up.196 In Alabat Island, Quezon Province, residents would
install pipes but have no water sources to connect the pipes to.197 In Marinduque,
communities are left without a water source as the river has dried up.198 The
Philippines’ National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) projects that
climate change will impact domestic water prices.199 A rise in prices will impede
access to potable water, especially in urban areas where the population is dependent
on commercial water systems.
Extreme weather events damage water and sanitation infrastructure.
Victims of typhoons and flooding commonly lack access to water, sanitation,
and hygiene (WASH) facilities. Marielle Trixie J. Bacason, a survivor of
Super Typhoon Haiyan (local: Yolanda) testified that while they could prepare before
the typhoon by stockpiling canned goods, they did not have clean water. She narrated
that after the typhoon, she had to walk several miles to a relative’s house, passing
dead bodies on the way, just to access clean water.200 While evacuation centers were
providing safe drinking water, they did not have sufficient toilets, garbage collection,
or vector control management.201 Without the appropriate WASH infrastructure,
194
Climate Change and the Human Rights to Water and Sanitation Position Paper.
195
NICC Community Dialogue/Fact-finding Mission in Verde Island Passage, Batangas, 6-8 June
2018 Documentation Report, at 10.
196
T.S.N. of the Third Inquiry Hearing dated 29-30 August 2018, at 94.
197
Alabat Community Dialogue, at 30.
199
National Economic Development Authority in PhilCCA WG2, supra note 171.
200
T.S.N. of the Fifth Inquiry Hearing dated 6-7 November 2018, at 98-99.
198
201
Rolando Jusue, Provincial Gov’t Environment and Natural Resources Office - Marinduque. June
2018, Key Informant Interview - Verde Island Passage, at 42.
Ruth Alma Ramos, Vikki Carr de los Reyes, Ma Nemia Sucaldito, & Enrique Tayag, Rapid
Health Assessments of Evacuation Centres in Areas Affected by Typhoon Haiyan. 6 (Supple 1)
Western Pac Surveill Response J., 39-43, doi:10.5365/WPSAR.2015.6.2.HYN_003 (2015).
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