Water: a political issue needing political solution

Dr Rommel F. Linatoc reflected on the issues of water and sanitation from an ecumenical perspective in the Philippines, speaking in an interview at the Global Forum of the Ecumenical Water Network. The theme of the forum, which took place from 25-27 October in Nairobi, Kenya, was "Like a tree planted by the water".

Linatoc was representing the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, which recently joined EWN as a member, and the Christian Conference of Asia. He was one of the twenty delegates from around the world participating in the event.

Linatoc was interviewed by Fredrick Nzwili, a journalist from Kenya.

How is your organization involved in the working for water and sanitation?

We are engaged in three areas, in education, advocacy, networking and policy lobbying. So, these are the general areas that we are working, in relation to water and sanitation back home in the Philippines.

In education, we are referring to water as a basic right that the government and other civil society members need to address together.

In terms of advocacy, we are linking it with other issues like mining, environment and issues about creation.

In terms of networking, we are lobbying our senate and congress to pass resolutions that can advance this cause, particularly, in uplifting the conditions of those who are in marginalized situations.

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