World Water Day 2026: Improving detainees’ access to water in Agusan del Norte
Around 500 detainees in Butuan City Jail in Agusan del Norte now have access to sufficient and clean water after the handover on 16 March 2026 of the jail’s upgraded water system, a project implemented by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in cooperation with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
“The inefficient water distribution and the absence of water coming from some of the faucets made daily life hard for many detainees and staff. With the timely completion of this project before the start of the dry season, detainees can now access water more reliably. Adequate access to water is essential to ensuring humane living conditions and preserving the dignity of detainees,” said Hazem Shahin, head of the ICRC’s office in Butuan.
The water from the new cistern tank will be delivered to the elevated stainless-steel tanks installed on the roof decks of the three dormitories inside the jail. This ensures the equal distribution of water in each detention cell. The project was already operational a few weeks prior to the official handover.
“Getting water was difficult in the past because we often had to bring our pails and fetch water outside our detention cells, although it was still within the jail’s premises. Now, our detention cell has enough water supply. We can now take our daily showers,” a detainee said.
The handover was held a few days before World Water Day, commemorated annually on 22 March. World Water Day aims to raise awareness about the need for billions of people around the world to have access to clean and safe water.
About the ICRC
The ICRC is a neutral, impartial and independent organization with an exclusively humanitarian mandate that stems from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. It helps people around the world affected by armed conflict and other violence, doing everything it can to protect their lives and dignity and to relieve their suffering, often alongside its Red Cross and Red Crescent partners.
From first row, left: Sameer Elias Putros, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) water and habitat coordinator; Jade Ryle Betito, ICRC engineer; Jail Sr. Supt. Ferdinand Pontillo, Bureau of Jail Management (BJMP) Caraga regional director; Jail Chief Insp. Diovin Auza, Butuan City Jail warden; and Hazem Shahin, head of ICRC Butuan office, inspect the new water tanks inside the jail after the ceremonial handover. Photo: M. Lucero/ICRC.
ICRC staff and BJMP officials inspect the newly constructed and installed cistern tank, pipes and three water pumps. The new water system can store enough water for the entire jail. The ICRC will train BJMP staff in the operation and maintenance of the improved water system. Photo: M. Lucero/ICRC.
The improved water system will significantly improve hygiene and overall living conditions inside the jail, which may be challenging during periods of extreme heat. Jail Chief Insp. Diovin Auzar said that in the past, detainees faced difficulties getting water and thanked the ICRC for the completion of the water project. Photo: M. Lucero/ICRC.