ACHIEVING ZERO OPEN DEFECATION: BEHAVIORAL TRANSFORMATION, PUBLIC HEALTH ADVANCEMENTS, AND COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT

Abstract

This study explores the implementation of sustainable sanitation practices to eradicate open defecation in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6): Clean Water and Sanitation. Utilizing the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach and supported by City Ordinance No. 2022-495, this initiative targeted 50 barangays to address public health issues related to poor sanitation. Initial implementation efforts in four barangays (Potol, Daro, Banbanan, and Sto. Niño) successfully achieved Zero Open Defecation (ZOD) status, inspiring other barangays to follow suit. The program utilized a comprehensive methodology involving ocular inspections, spot mapping, community engagement, sanitation infrastructure development, and health education campaigns. The results demonstrated improvements in public health, sanitation practices, and community awareness. Key findings suggest that coordinated efforts among local government units (LGUs), academic institutions, and community stakeholders can lead to sustainable behavior changes. This paper provides insights into how multi-sectoral collaborations and the CLTS framework can be scaled to address sanitation challenges in similar settings.