The Equal Access Philippines project continues to make strong progress in expanding access to safe drinking water for communities, schools and evacuation centres across the country. Supported by the Zayed Sustainability Prize, the project focuses on delivering reliable water filtration solutions to areas facing water insecurity due to poverty, geographic isolation, and recurring natural disasters.
In 2025, nine SkyHydrant MAX systems were deployed across the Philippines, with installations prioritised in high-need coastal and upland barangays in Baganga, as well as key public institutions including the University of San Carlos, Talisay City Hall, and MSU-IIT Cooperative Academy in Iligan City. Designed to operate in challenging environments and emergency situations, the SkyHydrant MAX provides large volumes of safe drinking water and plays a critical role in supporting whole communities when existing water infrastructure is limited or disrupted.
Alongside this, the rollout of Squirt ultrafiltration units has been well advanced, with more than 40 units installed across eight locations in Cebu Province, Negros Oriental and surrounding areas. These lightweight, portable systems have been deployed in schools, upland barangays, coastal villages and evacuation centres, including Cotcot in Liloan and Brgy. Lusaran in Cebu City. The Squirt units are particularly effective for household and small-community use, offering a rapid, practical solution during emergencies and in everyday settings where safe water access remains a challenge.
MSU-IIT Cooperative Academy – Iligan City, Lanao del Norte
Date installed: 17 November 2025
Units: 2 × SkyHydrant MAX
Population served: 370 students
Two SkyHydrant MAX units were installed at MSU-IIT Cooperative Academy to provide a reliable source of clean, safe drinking water for students and staff. The official turnover and partnership formalisation marked a significant step in strengthening student health and supporting a safe learning environment.
Baganga, Davao Oriental – Coastal and Upland Barangays
Date installed: 2025 (staged installations)
Units: Multiple × SkyHydrant MAX
Population served: Whole-community coverage across multiple barangays
SkyHydrant MAX units were deployed across several coastal and upland barangays in Baganga, an area frequently impacted by typhoons and flooding. These high-capacity systems now provide safe water to entire communities, particularly during disasters when traditional water sources are compromised.
University of San Carlos – Cebu
Date installed: 2025
Units: SkyHydrant MAX and multiple Squirt units
Population served: University population and surrounding community
Installations at the University of San Carlos support a large student body and associated facilities. The combination of high-capacity SkyHydrant systems and Squirt units ensures consistent access to safe drinking water across campus settings.
Talisay City Hall – Cebu
Date installed: 2025
Units: SkyHydrant MAX and Squirt units
Population served: City hall staff and surrounding community users
Water filtration systems installed at Talisay City Hall strengthen local government capacity to provide safe water access, particularly during periods of increased demand or emergency response.
Cotcot, Liloan – Cebu
Date installed: 15 November 2025
Units: 4 × Squirt
Population served: 509 evacuees
Following severe flooding caused by Typhoon Tino, four Squirt units were installed at an evacuation site in Cotcot, Liloan. With more than 1,000 families displaced across the municipality, the units provided immediate access to clean drinking water and reduced the risk of waterborne disease for vulnerable families.
Brgy. Lusaran – Cebu City (Upland Barangay)
Date installed: November 2025
Units: 3 × Squirt
Population served: Children and families within the barangay
Brgy. Lusaran is a remote upland community with long-standing challenges accessing safe water due to difficult terrain and scattered households. The installation of three Squirt units delivered urgently needed clean water following a disaster event and was met with strong community gratitude.
La Concordia – Daanbantayan, Cebu
Date installed: 2025
Units: Squirt units (multiple)
Population served: Local households and community members
Squirt units were installed in La Concordia to support a coastal community vulnerable to storms and water shortages. The lightweight systems provide a practical, household-level solution for daily drinking water needs.
Canlaon – Negros Oriental
Date installed: 2025
Units: Squirt units (multiple)
Population served: Families and community facilities
In Canlaon, where communities are geographically dispersed and water quality can be inconsistent, Squirt units now provide families with a reliable source of safe drinking water.
Collective Impact
Across all sites, the Equal Access Philippines project demonstrates the complementary role of SkyHydrant MAX systems, which serve entire communities and institutions, and Squirt units, which provide rapid, household- and small-community-level solutions. Together, these installations are delivering clean, safe water to thousands of people, strengthening health, dignity and resilience across urban, rural, coastal and disaster-affected communities.