[Japan JC "SMILE by WATER" Project] Water Purification Facility Completed at Elementary School in Cebu Island, Philippines

The "SMILE by WATER" project, an international contribution initiative undertaken by the Japan Junior Chamber, Inc. (President: Taisho Kato, Location: VORT Hanzomon 7F, 2-12-1 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo), has successfully completed the water purification facility constructed at an elementary school in the Mambaling district of Cebu City, Republic of the Philippines. A completion ceremony was held, inviting local residents.

A photo of the ribbon-cutting ceremony commemorating the completion of the water purification facility on June 21, 2026.

About the SMILE by WATER Project

This international contribution project was launched by the Japan JC in 2016 to provide safe and secure water in developing countries. It is an initiative aimed at achieving Goal 6 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations for 2030: "Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all." To date, the project has focused primarily on Asia, installing water purifiers, wells, and pipelines using methods appropriate for each region. In addition to activities that lead to the provision of safe and secure water, the project has also conducted awareness campaigns and educational support to convey the importance of water and hygiene to local residents and the youth who will lead the next generation. In recent years, the project has also focused on sustainable development, establishing mechanisms to secure maintenance costs for the long-term resolution of water issues, and promoting initiatives that create local employment and contribute to regional economic development. This year, the project is being implemented in the Mambaling district of Cebu City, Republic of the Philippines.

Project Overview

Background of Implementation

The Mambaling district of Cebu City is one of the most densely populated areas in the city, with slums formed due to structural factors from Cebu City's rapid urbanization. It is an area where administrative involvement has been difficult. The magnitude 6.9 earthquake that occurred in September 2025, with its epicenter off the coast of northern Cebu, caused widespread damage not only to buildings but also to infrastructure such as water and sewage systems. Furthermore, heavy rainfall from Typhoon No. 25 (international name: Kalmaegi) that occurred immediately afterward caused flooding, contaminating the water quality of rivers and wells, making it extremely difficult to secure safe water necessary for daily life. The reconstruction of infrastructure and preparation for the next disaster are urgent priorities. Therefore, the Japan JC, in collaboration with JCI Cebu (Cebu Junior Chamber), decided to implement a project that enables continuous access to safe water.

Specific Methods

1 Installation of Water Purification Facility at a School A water purification facility will be installed at an elementary school in the Mambaling district. The safe water produced there will be provided free of charge to children and at a reasonable price to local residents. By collecting fees, a system will be established for the community to procure the necessary funds for facility maintenance and management, creating a sustainable operational structure that does not depend on external support.

2 Hygiene Education on Handwashing (Outreach Classes) In addition to securing safe water, hygiene education classes on handwashing will be conducted for local children with the aim of providing knowledge and raising awareness regarding the prevention of waterborne infectious diseases. In this initiative,牛乳石鹸共進社株式会社 (G.U.M. Cosmetics Co., Ltd.) is cooperating. Japan JC representatives will learn how to wash hands and make soap, and will hold classes and seminars locally.

3 Sale of Handmade Soap Using local specialty coconut oil and water from the purification facility, children attending school and teachers will make soap. The manufactured soap will be sold at local hotels, souvenir shops, and a special website (https://bohe2026.jcicebu.org) with the cooperation of JCI Cebu. The revenue generated from sales will be used to provide allowances to the children and teachers involved in manufacturing, as well as for the maintenance costs of the water purification facility and community operating funds.

Through these initiatives, we aim not only to provide safe and secure water to the residents of the Mambaling district but also to convey the importance of self-initiative for regional development, providing an opportunity for the community to contribute to sustainable development.

Completion Ceremony Overview

Date and Time: June 21, 2026 (Sun) 14:00 - 17:00

Venue: Nano Nagle Child Care and Learning Center (Bajau Village, Mambaling District, Cebu City, Republic of the Philippines)

Attendees: Yutaka Ueno, Consul General of Japan in Cebu; Shuntaro Kado, Secretary-General of Service Missionaries of the Order of St. Camillus;

JCI Cebu members, local school officials and residents,

Shunpei Omata, Chairman of the Japan JC International Business Cooperation Committee; Kotaro Mizuyama, Vice Chairman; and 6 other members.

Number of Attendees: Approximately 100 people

Main Contents: Explanation of project objectives, soap-making experience and hygiene class for local citizens, ribbon cutting, commemorative photo, gift presentation

Opening Ceremony Guest Speech: Mr. Ueno, Consul General of Japan Guest Speech: Mr. Kado, Secretary-General of Service Missionaries of the Order of St. Camillus

Installed water purification facility Purified water and children 1 Purified water and children 2

Soap-making experience Hygiene class in progress 1 Hygiene class in progress 2

On the day of the ceremony, a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the completed water purification facility, gift distribution to children, a soap-making experience, and hygiene education to learn proper handwashing were conducted. The smiles and cheers of the children upon seeing the clear water flowing from the faucet brought us great joy. The soap-making and hygiene classes were also filled with the happy smiles of residents and children.

Consul General Yutaka Ueno of the Consulate-General of Japan in Cebu and Secretary-General Shuntaro Kado of the Service Missionaries of the Order of St. Camillus attended the completion ceremony. In his guest speech, Consul General Ueno offered encouraging words, stating, "As this is the 70th anniversary of Japan-Philippines friendship, we want to further strengthen cooperation between our nations." Secretary-General Kado of the Service Missionaries of the Order of St. Camillus also expressed his expectations and support for this project.

The completion ceremony was covered by several local media outlets, including prominent Cebu newspapers such as "SunStar Cebu," "CDN Digital (Cebu Daily News)," and "GMA Regional TV News," providing an opportunity to convey the significance of this project, such as "benefits from the water purification facility" and "a sustainable support model in Bajau Village," to a wider audience. Together with the local community and JCI Cebu members, we have taken an important step towards a sustainable operational structure.

Main Articles Published

・"SunStar Cebu" | Clean water project to benefit over 2,000 Badjao residents in Cebu City

・"CDN Digital" | Mambaling Badjao community to get clean water, livelihood project

Details and progress of this project will be posted on the following website:

https://www.jaycee.or.jp/committee-commission/jp203