Empowering Manila’s forgotten communities: The transformative work of "better with water"
In the heart of the Philippines' capital, Manila, where urban sprawl meets stark poverty, access to water is a daily struggle for thousands of families. Makeshift settlements house low-income residents, many of whom migrated from rural areas in search of better opportunities, only to find themselves trapped in slums with limited access to basic necessities.
Amid this challenge, the Pictet Group Foundation recently visited a transformative initiative called better with water, a partnership between a local NGO and a social enterprise. This programme, funded by the Foundation under the theme of water, is changing lives in Manila’s underserved communities by addressing one of their most pressing challenges: access to clean and affordable water.
During their visit, the team explored several urban settlements, including Isla Noah, Upper Sucat, Strikeville, Talaba, Molave and BARS. Each community presented unique challenges but shared the same daily struggle for water in the past—a struggle that better with water has helped these neighborhoods with and is working tirelessly to address.
The daily struggle for water
In neighbourhoods like Talaba, a small coastal settlement home to 10,000 residents, the struggle for water was relentless. Here, life revolves around fishing, a bustling wet market and call centres that employ many of the younger population. But beneath this veneer of activity lies a grim reality: 55% of Talaba’s residents live below the poverty line, surviving on less than USD 1.50 per day.
Before better with water’s intervention, residents often spent sleepless nights waiting for water vendors, who charged exorbitant prices—up to 50 pesos per drum of water. Women like Maribel, a resident of Talaba, bore the brunt of this burden, waiting in long lines or staying awake all night to ensure they did not miss their turn.
We don’t sleep because of water. We get bullied.
In many of these slums, a so-called “water mafia” has long controlled access to water, forcing families to pay up to 30% of their income for this basic necessity. The systemic issues that prevent traditional water companies from serving these areas—poorly designed networks, high arrears from unpaid bills over disputes, illegal tapping of water lines and a lack of social expertise—only exacerbate the problem.
Talaba: Make-shift living in Manila
The challenges extend beyond water access. Communities like Isla Noah, Molave and BARS face ageing infrastructure, plastic pollution and the constant threat of eviction, flooding, or devastating fires. Children play in unsafe environments filled with garbage and polluted water, while families live in fear of losing what little they have.
A community-focused solution
Since 2016, better with water has been tackling these challenges head-on, offering innovative solutions tailored to the needs of slum communities. The organisation’s approach is rooted in empowering residents while addressing the systemic barriers that prevent access to clean water.
While costs have dropped to just 5% of household income, challenges remain. Many residents are still wary of water quality, and the memories of bullying and corruption tied to the old water mafia linger. Trust, as the organisation has learned, takes time to build.
It’s not only about bringing water. There’s a lot more going on around those activities. There’s a whole holistic approach to the community, and that is very important to see and experience.
While costs have dropped to just 5% of household income, challenges remain. Many residents are still wary of water quality, and the memories of bullying and corruption tied to the old water mafia linger. Trust, as the organisation has learned, takes time to build.
Building trust, one drop at a time
A cornerstone of better with water’s success is its commitment to transparency and integrity. The organisation operates with a zero-tolerance policy for corruption and "pay-to-build" practices, which are common in areas with high political interference. Written agreements and formal contracts ensure accountability and long-term sustainability, though securing these agreements can take up to two years.
Communication is streamlined through platforms like Facebook Messenger, allowing the organisation to maintain direct and transparent engagement with the community.
The process begins with extensive community surveys, municipal discussions and boundary mapping using tools like Google Maps. Projects then progress through a year-long timeline, from pre-survey to baseline implementation. Monthly water quality checks, conducted in collaboration with water operators, ensure the reliability of the service.
Beyond water: a holistic approach
For better with water, the mission goes beyond providing clean water. The organisation adopts a holistic approach to community reinforcement, focusing on hygiene awareness, environment conservation and disasters risks reductions
Mass events, such as World Menstrual Hygiene Day and World Water Day, serve as platforms to engage residents and encourage behavioural change.
Mass events are our way of reaching out to people and encouraging behavioural change. If the community is aware of what is happening in the area where they live, then they will be mobilised to be proactive in dealing with the problems within the community.
Resilience in the face of adversity
Despite the hardships they face, the residents in urban slum communities have shown remarkable resilience. Women, who once fled in fear of fires, are now leading firefighting efforts, running toward danger instead of away from it. Teachers like Maribel and community leaders like her aunt, a pastor, have become pillars of hope, using their positions to organise and uplift their neighbours.
For many residents, something as simple as receiving a water service receipt with their name and address represents a significant step toward dignity and visibility in a system that has long overlooked them.
Helping each other matters the most.
A lasting impact
The work of better with water is a testament to the transformative power of community-driven solutions. By addressing immediate needs and fostering long-term development, the organisation is not only improving living conditions but also empowering residents to take charge of their futures.
For the Pictet Group Foundation team, the visit to six different urban slums was an eye-opening experience, underscoring the importance of initiatives like this. As one team member put it, “In many ways, it’s not just better with water—it’s more than water. But it starts with water.”
Expanding the vision
In North Manila, better with water is tackling new challenges, such as slums with black water issues and low water pressure. The organisation’s broader goal is to increase connections within existing communities while expanding to new ones.
To date, it has established five branches in the Philippines and two in Bangladesh, and is actively exploring opportunities to replicate its model in others countries,
such as Kenya through partnerships with local authorities.
Looking ahead to 2027, better with water recognises the need to scale up significantly to achieve broader impact. Strengthening political connections and partnerships will be key to unlocking more opportunities and expanding into new regions.
With its proven track record and ambitious vision, better with water is poised to make a lasting impact on water access and quality, both in the Philippines and beyond.