Landbank cited for Gawad Katubigan Program

The Land Bank of the Philippines was cited by the Waves For Water (W4W) Global Organization for its contribution to providing access to clean water to disaster-stricken and underserved communities. At the recent Partner Recognition Ceremony, W4W recognized LANDBANK’s Gawad KAakibat na TUlong sa Bayan para sa Inuming KailanGAN (KATUBIGAN) Program which to date reached 56 cities/municipalities across the country and benefited more than 100,000 individuals who now enjoy convenient access to clean drinking water.

LANDBANK Executive Vice President for Corporate Services Julio D. Climaco, Jr. and LANDBANK First Vice President for Corporate Affairs Catherine Rowena B. Villanueva received the Certificate from W4W Global Operations Director Caitlan Rowe. Also present during the ceremony were W4W Field Operations Director Robert McQueen, W4W Philippines Country Director Carlo Delantar, and Director of Operations Jenica Dizon.

Implemented in partnership with W4W Philippines, Gawad KATUBIGAN is one of the Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility Programs, which started as a small disaster response project in 2015. Its primary objective was to provide water filtration systems to typhoon-hit areas and hard-to-reach communities that need access to clean and safe drinking water.

The Project has since been expanded into a full-blown program with three components: a “Disaster Response Component” through which water filter systems are provided to calamity-stricken areas; a “Disaster Preparedness Component” which provides rain catchment systems and disaster preparedness training to communities in disaster-prone areas; and a “Needs-based Component” wherein LANDBANK—with the endorsement of its branches nationwide—provides rain catchment and filtration systems to far-flung communities with limited or no access to clean drinking water.

“We are fortunate to have Waves For Water as our partner, which continues to help us improve and expand the program as we hope to do more and reach more communities in need,” said LANDBANK EVP Climaco during the recognition ceremony.

Apart from providing the water filtration units, W4W also provides training to community leaders and health workers on the proper usage and maintenance of the water filters. This way, community leaders are empowered by being given an integral role in caring for the units as well as passing on what they have learned to other communities that may also be in need of access to clean water.

“Equally important is how the program has strengthened the Bank’s core value of social responsibility among employees since, through our VOLUNTEERific program, we have consistently engaged Landbankers as volunteers in program roll-outs across various sites,” LANDBANK FVP Villanueva added.

The Philippines was likewise cited as among the biggest contributors to W4W’s programs due to LANDBANK’s extensive support, which allows W4W Philippines to significantly expand the coverage and reach of its initiatives.

“We are proud and grateful to be able to work with such a reliable institution like LANDBANK. Our collaboration has flourished and we have been able to change the lives of thousands. Together, we look forward to continuing to provide clean water access to many more Filipinos,” said Waves For Water Philippines Country Director Carlo Delantar. INQUIRER.net/VR