One of the LGU ZOD Awardee, the Municipality of San Nicolas, Ilocos Sur received their Plaque of Certification during the 2025 Regional Environmental Health Summit held in Candon City, Ilocos Sur
THE Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region proudly announced that the region has achieved 78% Zero Open Defecation (ZOD) status, a major victory in its ongoing mission to eliminate open defecation practices and strengthen community sanitation during the “Environmental Health and Sanitation Summit 2025” held in Candon, Ilocos Sur on November 20, 2025.
Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco hailed the achievement as a testament to the region’s commitment to public health, saying that reaching 78% Zero Open Defecation is more than just a statistic—it is a measure of dignity, safety, and progress for every community in the Ilocos Region.
“This milestone shows the power of partnership. Our barangay health workers, local leaders, and families have demonstrated that when communities collaborate, lasting change is achievable. We will continue pushing forward until every household has access to safe and sustainable sanitation,” Sydiongco assured.
The ZOD program, implemented under the Environmental and Occupational Health Unit initiative, encourages households to adopt safe sanitation practices, build and maintain sanitary toilets, and engage in health education activities that reduce disease transmission.
Engr. Lily Neremiapel D. Esteban, Head of the Regional Environmental and Occupational Health Unit, emphasized the direct impact of ZOD on community well-being, noting that improved sanitation leads to fewer cases of diarrhea, reduced environmental contamination, and healthier children and families.
“When communities embrace ZOD, they are actively preventing disease and protecting future generations,” she added.
During the event, local government units (LGUs) and individuals were recognized for driving behavior-change campaigns and enforcing sanitation ordinances that supported the region’s progress. Many barangays have also been certified and declared as ZOD communities through vigorous monitoring and validation.
The DOH-Ilocos Region reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating WASH interventions, especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs), ensuring that no community is left behind.
As the region moves closer to full ZOD coverage, the DOH calls on all stakeholders to sustain the momentum by promoting toilet utilization, proper waste disposal, and continuous hygiene education.
“Together, we will make the Ilocos Region a model of sanitation excellence. Our goal is not just to reach zero open defecation—but to achieve sustainable sanitation.” Sydiongco concluded.
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