TSEK ng Bayan in Biñan: Catalyzing a Sanitation Revolution

by Densel P. Solis

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

In modern urban life, clean water and efficient sanitation are often taken for granted—yet they form the backbone of public health and environmental sustainability. In Biñan, Laguna, the collaborative initiative known as TSEK ng Bayan—an acronym standing for Tamang Sanitasyon = Kalusugan, Kalinisan, at Kaunlaran ng Bayan (Proper Sanitation = Health, Cleanliness, and Community Progress)—exemplifies how targeted outreach, infrastructure, and advocacy can transform local sanitation practices.

Manila Water Non-East Zone operating unit Laguna Water, in partnership with the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Biñan, successfully rolled out its flagship campaign “TSEK ng Bayan” in the said city. The initiative, which stands for “Tamang Sanitasyon Equals Kalusugan, Kalinisan, at Kaunlaran ng Bayan”, aims to champion the vital message that proper sanitation is the cornerstone of a healthier, cleaner, and more progressive community.

TSEK ng Bayan was pioneered by Laguna Water, in coalition with the Manila Water Foundation, aiming to elevate sanitation awareness and spur behavior change in communities around Laguna Lake, including Biñan. Launched several years ago, the initiative was formally introduced during a World Toilet Day event in Barangay Malaban, Biñan, on November 29, 2019.

This commemoration served not just to spotlight global sanitation challenges, but also to directly engage local residents in adopting responsible practices such as regular septic tank cleaning and utilization of proper sanitation facilities. A tangible symbol of this effort was the inauguration of a three-cubicle public toilet in Malaban—an emblem of dignity, health, and communal investment.

Tackling Sanitation at Its Roots: Education and Infrastructure

At its core, TSEK ng Bayan blends two powerful drivers of change: education and physical infrastructure:

• Educational campaigns emphasize the vital need for routine septic tank desludging. Laguna Water underscores how neglected septic systems compromise groundwater and lake ecosystems—threats that ultimately circle back to affect human health.

• Infrastructure support, most notably public toilets and accessible desludging services, turns awareness into practical action. By 2018, Laguna Water had already commenced septic tank cleaning services—marking a commitment to not just preach, but to provide solutions.

  
  

Recent Milestones in Biñan

Fast forward to early September 2025—today’s TSEK ng Bayan campaign in Biñan is making significant headway. Laguna Water, alongside the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Biñan, has successfully expanded outreach and service delivery to approximately 3,276 households, not only in Biñan but also in nearby areas like Santa Rosa, Cabuyao, and Pagsanjan.

This intensified push underscores that sanitation isn’t a one-off event—it's an ongoing community journey, nurtured through repeated engagement and steady service delivery.

Why TSEK ng Bayan Matters

a) Public Health Safeguarding

Unchecked septic systems can release pathogens that contaminate water sources, contributing to waterborne illnesses. TSEK ng Bayan’s advocacy for regular desludging directly counteracts such threats, ensuring families and neighborhoods remain protected.

b) Environmental Stewardship

Biñan lies near Laguna de Bay—a vital freshwater resource. Proper sanitation practices shield this ecosystem from pollution, preserving biodiversity, fisheries, and water quality.

c) Community Empowerment & Social Equity

By delivering sanitation services directly to marginalized communities, the program paves the way toward equitable access. Public toilets, educational drives, and accessible desludging translate to improved dignity and quality of life.

d) Behavioral Transformation

Changing sanitation norms isn’t just about building infrastructure—it’s about nurturing new, healthier habits. Through continuous education—via local government units, community leaders, and advocates—TSEK ng Bayan nurtures a culture where sanitation is not optional, but essential.

Behind the Scenes: Partnerships and Local Governance

The success of TSEK ng Bayan hinges on synergy between private actors and public offices. Laguna Water brings technical expertise and operational capacity. The Manila Water Foundation spearheads education and outreach. The CENRO of Biñan, meanwhile, aligns local policies and mobilizes community-level implementation. Together, they form a potent alliance—each filling a necessary role in the sanitation ecosystem.

The Road Ahead: Sustaining Momentum in Biñan

To deepen and sustain gains, TSEK ng Bayan could consider:

1. Formalizing desludging schedules, perhaps through subsidy schemes or community-based coordination.

2. Rigorous monitoring, tracking desludging uptake, incidence of related illnesses, and overall sanitation behaviors.

3. Cultural embedding, weaving sanitation themes into school curricula, barangay health centers, and festival messaging.

4. Scaling the model, by rolling out localized TSEK ng Bayan variants in other Laguna towns, customized to their unique contexts.

5. Policy integration, advocating for city ordinances that mandate septic cleaning at defined intervals, backed by enforcement mechanisms or citizen reporting.

The journey of TSEK ng Bayan in Biñan illustrates how concerted action—blending education, infrastructure, and collaboration—can reshape norms and protect both people and ecosystems. From the symbolic unveiling of a three-cubicle public toilet in 2019 to reaching thousands of households today, this movement reflects how sustained effort sparks transformation.

As Biñan continues this path, one thing stands clear: true sanitation reform is more than an infrastructural fix; it's a testament to community agency, adaptive partnership, and a shared commitment to healthier, cleaner, and more resilient communities.