Jurilla, A. R. A. (2017). Achieving zero open defecation through strengthening of the local health system in the Municipality of Igbaras, Iloilo (Unpublished master's thesis). Graduate School of Public and Development Management, Development Academy of the Philippines.

Graduate School of Public and Development Management Health Systems and Development Batch 7 Thesis (MPM-HSD)--Development Academy of the Philippines.

Lack of sanitation contributes to about 10% of the global disease burden, causing mainly diarrheal diseases. Around the world, achieving total sanitation in communities has proved an ongoing challenge for sanitation stakeholders. It requires whole communities ti commit to stop defecating in the open and hygienically contain all fecal matter. One way to improve sanitation is through achieving Zero Open Defecation (ZOD) in the whole municipality. Sanitation program in the municipality was not well established. Thus, very slow progress was seen in the past years in terms of access of households to sanitary toilet facilities and barangays certified, verified and declared ZOD. In this premise that the author looked at the possibility of strengthening of the local health system to achieve ZOD. This Action Plan and Project aimed to improve sanitation through achieving ZOD by strengthening the local health system. This study aimed to determine the status of sanitation through access of household to sanitary toilet facility and number of barangays verified, certified and declared ZOD. It also aimed ti know the contributions and initiatives done by the local Government Unit to achieve ZOD and the effect of strengthening of local health system in achieving ZOD. Data review, barangay investigation and focus group discussion with the Technical Wrorking Group was conducted. Hence, this APP became successful in improving sanitation through achieving ZOD and increasing access of household with sanitary toilet facility.