Roselle Marie H.

Mallari Nat Sci 5

2012-29209 MHE
Asian Development Bank Water voices
The Connection
The Asian Development Bank tells stories of water from the different places in the world. In their
documentary series of The Connection, it is about the story of water in Phnom Penh, the capital and
largest city of Cambodia.
Phnom Penhs water supply system was ruined for years because of the war that happened in their
place. It has been said that about 70% of the citys water was lost because of the weak distribution and
illegal connection of the people living in the area. People were really deprived of water and they only rely
on the others who sell them water with thrice of its real amount which only makes poor people poorer.
With the help of the Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority, they facilitated the improvement of the
connection of water even in remote places for less fortunate people to have clean water. They filtered the
water with the use of their machines and they cleaned the pipes that have mud and dirty water. After that,
they tried adding pipes for people in other areas to also have water. For them to be able to manage the
costing and maintenance, they went house to house and talked to every family that if they want water,
they should pay for it. They explained the concept of metering and through time, they were able to
establish a good connection of water in their area.
After stabilizing the connection, the next challenge is sanitation. After convincing people that
people must pay for the water that they use, the next thing is that they must convince the people that they
have to pay for the water that they waste. Another challenge is that for them to cover 100% of the area
even the suburbs so that everyone will have access to water.

Roselle Marie H. mallari Nat Sci 5
2012-29209 MHE
Asian Development Bank Water voices
Hidden Paradise
The Asian Development Bank tells stories of water from the different places in the world. In their
documentary series of Hidden Paradise, it is about the story of water in Bacolod, a city in Negros,
Philippines.
There are a lot of squatters in the Philippines who live near the swamps and with the continuing
increase of population, it seems impossible to keep up with the demands of construction and maintenance
of a lot of things. In the Hidden Paradise in Bacolod, they used to have only one source of water, the
shallow well which provides water but also causes diseases. They want to have their connection of water
but most of the people living in the area cannot afford it thats why they asked help for other sectors and
with the help of their people especially their captain, they were able to find a good source of water and
not only that, they were also able to have their own lands. Now they their own system of supply of water
and it is more cheap than the usual cost of water per barrel. People dont have to suffer from their old well
and they can now use more water for themselves. After being able to get their water, their next problem
was drainage and sanitation. This is why they have this monthly cleaning of the pipes for sanitation and
gutters from their projects that serve as drainage for water.
There is no guarantee that the people living near the riverbanks will have the chance to develop
and improve their lives. But what is assured is that with proper coordination of the leader and its
members, problems can be solved just by working together and organizing effectively.