Parungao, Joel Tolentino <br/><br/>
Improving the access to safe water through the establishment of municipal water and sanitation council in Quezon, Nueva Ecija / 
Joel Tolentino Parungao. 
 - iv, 77 leaves : illustrations (some color), map 
<br/><br/>
<br/><br/>Graduate School of Public and Development Management 
<br/><br/> Provision of safe water supply is one of the basic social services that improve health and well-being by preventing transmission of waterborne diseases. It has been a major part of the global and national campaign for health promotion and protection, as stated in the Millennium Development Goals and the National Objectives of Health.  The baseline water accessibility status of Quezon, Nueva Ecija was obtained through survey and review of secondary materials. It was found out that only 57% of the total households of the municipality has access to safe water, quite far from the national target of 88% by 2016.  Moreover, the factors affecting the low safe access to safe water and the present organizational structures governing the Quezon Water System, was explored through Focused Group Discussions, SWOT analysis and key informant interviews. Two direct causes of low access to safe water were identified - low accessibility and lack of established quality control mechanism. Furthermore, no established governing body that will oversee the operation of the Quezon Water System was found.  After a series of consultative meetings, social marketing and collaboration with other co-advocate agencies, the Municipal Water and Sanitation Council (WATSAN) was established. During its first months of being formed, it has proven its capability of being instrumental in improving access to safe water. It was able to get an approved and legislated budget for expansion through the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting of the Department of Interior and Local Government, translating to a possible increase in the overall percentage of household with safe water access from 57% to 71% by 2015. 
<br/><br/><label>Subjects--Topical Terms: </label><br/>Water sanitation--Establishment.<br/>Water supply.<br/>Millennium Development Goals.<br/>National Objectives of Health.<br/>Municipal Water and Sanitation Council.