Manila, April 1 -- For years access to safe drinking water was a daily struggle for residents of Barangay Tumalutab, a small and remote island in Zamboanga City.

Families mostly relied on deep wells, often unsafe and causing illness, especially among children, or have to shell out PHP60 to PHP70 per 5-gallon container from the mainland, including transportation costs.

During his visit to the island to check on the newly installed water filtration system, Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna personally talked with the residents, who expressed gratitude to the government for finally bringing potable water right within the island.

"Masaya ang mga tao dito sa komunidad pero pagdating sa pangangailangan nila sa tubig, dati sabi nung mga n...