Filipino households have more phones than toilets.

In a certain home, one of the basic part is having a comfort room and toilet is included. What if your very own house doesn't have a functional toilet? Toilets are so important because as we eat, we also need to defecate. Then what if you don't have a proper and safe place to defecate? That is one of the major problems facing by those underprivileged places most especially in Manila and particular place in some provinces.

The problem lies to why Filipino households prefer to buy smartphone than building their own functional toilet at home. This is very interesting topic that I have been curious about to write. In fact, a long time ago, this topic was even debated in our classroom. I find this topic so important to talk about because health problems are so risky nowadays.

Living in farm (has toilet but not functional)

As you all know, I grew up in farm for almost 10 years. Basically, I spent my teenage years planting and farming several crops in farmland. Living in farm is feeling like isolated because we have no neighbourhood. In addition, there is no source of electricity which basically living like without electricity in 9 years. That is why I am used to not using electric fan and any technological devices or equipments.

Our house was wooden-made back then. My parents used strong woods which is cheap compare to prices now. So you can imagine that our comfort room is made with woods too. Later on, we cannot able to use it since the woods build there fell down because of several thunderstorms passed by. Additionally, the bowl wasn't functional too. The water doesn't go down easily and it stays so long until you wanna leave. That is the reason why we chose not to use it anymore.

Defecation in farm field

The very first time I defecated in farm field was when I really can't hold my poops. This happened way back I think I was around eleven years old. I went to Sampaloc (tamarind) tree which is at least 30 meters away from our house. There is waterway and I sat down and lay like a king. Are you wondering where this water will go? Well, the water flows to rice field and the water keeps running since the entirety of field is wide. Thus, that very water way is used by others too as a bridge to connect water from other farmers.

What's interesting about defecating in outside is that you have to do it in a very short amount of time. You have no time to leisure and daydream about anything because I don't want to be caught by some farmers. Tell me honestly, we used to play games, watch videos, play music or daydream something while defecating. I do not know the scientific explanation in that particular area. I do not used water from the waterway. I always brought two liters of water and a soap to wash myself.

Statistical data (phones vs toilets)

According to Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), there are about 70 percent of Filipino families claimed that they have owned functional toilet which isn't shared to any family. While, 84 percent of Filipino families claimed that they owned a personal smartphone. This data showed that there is about 14 percent gap between possession of toilets and smartphones. The data was later on publicly announced by Health Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd on November 2017.

If we look closely it is very alarming rate that Filipinos still purchasing smartphones than building their own functional toilet at home. Based on the data I gathered from Philippine Statistics Authority, the Philippine has a total of 104,70,000 (104.7M) population in the year 2017. If I compute the total of 70% of 104 million, there are only 73,290,000 individuals who have proper toilet which means there 31, 410,000 individuals left.

On the other hand, there are around 87, 948,000 individuals who possessed smartphones and 16,752,000 who don't. Can you imagine the big difference? Actually, these families can afford to build their own toilet but choose not. A smartphone can worth atleast ₱4,000 to ₱6,000 ($80-$120) each. If you can add each phone price they possesed, I think it will be around atleast ₱12,000 ($240). That would be sufficient to build a decent comfort room with functional toilet.

The community project

In 2014, DOH has implemented a project called "Goodbye, Dumi! Hello, Healthy!". It was a project to encourage Filipinos to build their own toilet at home. Thankfully, the project was later on successful with the sudden increase of percent gathered by PSA in 2018. I think the project was good, however the fact that Manila has still improper toilet facilities today.

Sanitation aligned to our health and environment. If we don't take take care our own selves, then we can expect to be sick anytime soon. Most especially, the virus is still lingering and will not fade away in just a single clap. Be realistic in choosing decision particularly when your home and family members are at risk. Isn't good to see your home that can live by comfortably?

Special thanks to ate @Bloghound for sponsoring me. Thus, to all renewals of sponsorship as well. I really appreciated!

Thank you for reading!