The Philippine Association of Water Districts (PAWD), the national umbrella organization of more than 500 water districts in the country, announces the holding of the 30th PAWD National Convention on February 11, 12, and 13, 2009 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, Cebu City.

With the theme "Water and Sanitation: Our Responsibility, Our Legacy," the event is set to convene at least 1,000 participants, composed of water district officials, local and foreign suppliers, water utilities experts, engineers, traders and innovators from all over the country.

Likewise, personalities from the government and private sectors and luminaries in the water industry are expected to grace the event.
The conference theme serves as a moving inspiration for the stakeholders in the water service industry to work intensively on issues related to the incidence of water-borne diseases in certain areas of the country.

A recent study made by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that around 1.1 billion people globally do not have access to safe and potable water while 2.4 billion people do not have access to any type of improved sanitation facility. The study also shows that about 2 million people die annually due to diarrheal diseases and other sickness associated with untreated water, most fatalities are children less than 5 years of age.

Such incidence prompted the WHO to declare a massive campaign not only against the plague but more importantly its cause -- lack of hygiene.

Part of the event's activities include technical paper presentations relevant to the event's theme.

Also, there will be an exhibit of the latest technology in water sanitation and services as part of the pre-conference activities.
Other programs scheduled before the convention proper include entertainment presentations, national contest for plumbers, oratorical and poster making contests for the youth and the much anticipated fellowship night.