The project will be implemented in the two island municipalities (Sitangkai and Sibutu) in the province of Tawi-Tawi, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Philippines. It is targeting the water security issue in these two island municipalities. The islands are increasingly affected by climate change through a sea-level rise (saline water intrusion) and more unpredictable rains, impacting water resources available for the communities on the islands.
One of the main income sources for the communities in the project area is seaweed farming. The seaweed farming communities already face water insecurity, relying mostly on groundwater and rainwater harvesting, which will only get worse due to projected climate change impacts (increasing sea level affecting groundwater availability, more unpredictable rainfall). Seaweed farming is also impacted by changing climate – increasing sea temperatures affect the frequency of the “ice-ice”disease, which reduces yields and value of the seaweed.The project seeks to increase adaptive capacity of the communities in Sibutu and Sitangkai, through provision of reliable, climate resilient access to water infrastructure and services. It will build the capacity of the local government units (LGUs) in water management by setting up a professional water management service in the project area. The project activities will build community resilience through supporting improvement, diversification and adaptation of seaweed farming, local value addition and establishing market linkages with downstream industries and other alternative livelihoods, making them less climate dependent. Coastal zone management, community-based adaptation measures and health-related adaptation measures will be introduced to strengthen the sustainability of the project outcomes. Finally, the project will document knowledge and prepare the base for scaling up of the activities in the Philippines.The project through inclusive water and sanitation infrastructure aims to serve the marginalized and vulnerable groups. In particular, it enhances gender equality and women empowerment through a) accessible and safe water sources by reducing time for fetching water i.e close proximity to water sources as well as well-lit water collection points to avoid violence and harassment; b) gender inclusive planning and designing to ensure women and girls are involved in the planning and decision making to ensure their needs and preferences are met as well as designing facilities that provide safety, security and convenience for women and girls; c) creation of new job opportunities for women in the construction, maintenance, and management of water and sanitation facilities; and d) strengthening seaweed based and diversifying livelihoods strategies which are less climate-dependent. The strategic design and location of the infrastructure will generate multiple benefitsserving water access to the most water deprived communities.It is estimated that total of 71,562 people would benefit directly from the project (with 35,423 women and 36,139 men), withabout 2,500 – 3,000 most vulnerable and marginalized groups benefitting from free water access.
