Ecosan is based on the idea that urine and faeces are resources in the food chain. It is an approach that saves water, protects water quality, prevents pollution and returns valuable nutrients into the loop on which our food security depends. It is a sustainable sanitation approach designed to solve the numerous problems of conventional sanitation, e.g. sewerage and septic tank systems.

Ecosan is the lead component of ISSUE Programme, which aims to demonstrate viability of Ecosan principles and systems in the Philippines through pilot projects in the City of San Fernando, La Union. It has developed partnership with various institutions for the implementation of the Ecosan pilot projects.

Objectives:

• Conduct educational and awareness raising activities to promote the principles of Ecosan in San Fernando City, La Union in particular, and nationwide in general;
• Build demonstration Ecosan toilet facilities in at least two pilot communities, two educational institutions and in the Botanical Garden;
• Assist the City formulate ISWM system on Ecosan that takes into consideration excreta generation, urine-faeces separation, treatment, collection, reuse and recycling; and
• Create an enabling environment within and around the City with an end view of institutionalizing Ecosan principles and systems in the City health, sanitation and environment policies, plans and programmes.

CAPS or the Center for Advanced Philippine Studies is the non-stock, non-profit research and development foundation in charged of the Ecosan component of ISSUE Programme. Its primary purpose is to conduct relevant researches and projects on strategic issues and to make results available to national and local leaders, both in the government and private sectors, for sound decision making.

For further information about the Ecosan system, please check out www.ecosan.ph .