TY  - GEN
AU  - Escaner, Karen G.
AU  - Lacanienta, Eduardo L. (Chairperson)
AU  - Gavino, Cherylle G. (External Expert)
TI  - Improving access to sanitation through an effective community led total sanitation (CLTS) approach : : the La Libertad experience 
KW  - Sanitation
KW  - Environmental sustainability
KW  - Environmental protection
N1  - Graduate School of Public and Development Management
N2  - Globally, approximately 2.6 billion people lack access to proper sanitation. Improper disposal of human wastes poses the utmost threat in health. Diarrheal diseases brought about by poor sanitation continue to be one of the leading causes of morbidity in children. Hence, an effective and sustainable approach to address this problem remains extremely vital. In the municipality of La Libertad, Negros Oriental, Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach was implemented to address the current sanitation dilemma.  The study aimed to evaluate and assess the CLTS implementation in the municipality of La Libertad. Specifically, it aimed to determine the effect of CLTS in improving access to sanitation , to ascertain the factors that influenced the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of CLTS and to draw recommendations and suggestions for the effective implementation of CLTS.  Six out of 29 barangays with highest open defecation practices were included in the study. The implementation of the CLTS process was based on the CLTS handbook by Kar (2008). Key Informant Interview (KII) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were utilized to determine the perspectives of the various stakeholders in the implementation of CLTS.  Results revealed that after CLTS implementation, two out six barangays attained 100% sanitation coverage while a three to fourfold increase in access to sanitation were observed in four other pilot barangays. Meanwhile, the drivers of a successful CLTS include: full support of LCE, Bayanihan Spirit, regular monitoring, good water source and excellent skills of the facilitators whereas barriers were high poverty incidence , negative attitude of the people and rocky soil type. On the other hand, requirements for an effective CLTS implementation include the following: (1) political will and commitment (2) encouraging local champions for sanitation (3) increased sanitation investment (4) intensified capability building (5) establishment of monitoring systems and (5) provision of apt sanitary technology.  CLTS approach results into improved access to sanitation. The level of effectiveness of CLTS varied from one barangay to another. Thus, CLTS can only be effective if certain conditions are met and aligned. Effectiveness and sustainability of CLTS are multifactorial. Hence, the key lies in addressing or minimizing all these complexities.
ER  -