Residents in this Davao del Norte town have to trek down a mountain just for clean water

This mountainous town of Santo Tomas in Davao del Norte is home to the tribe Ata Manobo.

As seen in a report on "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," the area is evidently dry, with dishes and clothes left unwashed. As the hot season in the Philippines rages on, rain has been rather elusive in this town.

But hot season or not, in an area like this, water is as good as gold. The nearest water supply is a spring located at the base of the mountain.

In Sunday's episode, the KMJS team met a resident named Janet. She wakes up at 6 a.m., and carries her three-month old baby down to the spring to fetch clean water.

Even when she was pregnant, Janet was the one in charge of fetching water for her family, since her husband rarely comes home because he works as a construction worker.

"Nagtrabaho po siya sa Davao, tapos minsan lang din siya nagpapadala ng pera tapos 500 lang," Janet said. "Wala rin akong mautusan. Wala kaming tubig pansaing tsaka pang-hugas ng plato."

("My husband works in the city. He'd usually just send money for food. I don't have anyone else to fetch water for me and my baby.")

On the way to the spring, Janet was joined by 62-year-old Minda, who said she has lived with this harsh reality since she was widowed.

"Iiyak ka na lang sa hirap. Wala akong ibang inasahan. Minsan kung nag-iigib ako sa gabi nadadausdos ako," she said.

("Life is so difficult that you could cry. There's no one else to help you. Sometimes, when I go to fetch water, I'd slip.")

It's not an easy trek. At times, the path turns dangerous—life-threatening even, if they make one wrong step.

After half an hour, the pair finally reached the spring. So as not to waste the effort it took to get there, they also took the chance to bathe.

And with that done, they were faced with the hardest part—going back. The way down was already hard enough, but they would have to carry gallons of water on the way back.

"Pagod na pagod na ako," Janet said. "Ang hirap din kasi ng walang tubig pag-uwi ko ng bahay, minsan nilalagnat na lang ako tinitiis ko na lang."

("I'm exhausted. It's very difficult. Sometimes, I'd have a fever. But I have no choice but to endure.")

According to Dr. June Lim, the water from the spring is safe for consumption.

"It was tested for bacterial logical test and chemical test, safe naman po sila kaya lang malayo."

("It was tested for bacteria and chemicals. The water is safe for consumption.")

That said, rain is a blessing to the townsfolk. And after two weeks of drought, their prayers were heard.

As it rained, residents happily bathed, washed their clothes, cleaned their dishes, and collected water for later use.

"Masaya po kami kapag umuulan nang malakas," Janet said. "Nakakaligo kami ng actual na galing sa langit."

"Minsan din Sir wala kaming tubig umiinom na lang kami sa ulan," she added.

("We see rain as a blessing. Because we can shower in the rain or drink from it.")

However, this poses a health risk. There have been instances of residents getting sick.

One of those was Charles, who suffered from diarrhea and dehydration before passing away.

His sister Ponciana admits that she's scared because "baka masunod kami sa namatay."

("We might die of the same reason.")

"Ang rainwater is practically safe naman talaga siya kaya lang ang problema natin is how they collected the water kasi baka naman hindi naman sterilized," said Dr. June Lim.

("Rainwater is practically safe to drink, but the problem is how the water is collected—maybe their containers are not sterilized enough.")

According to the Social Weather Stations (SWS), only 67 percent, or seven out of 10 households in the Philippines, have access to clean water.

In the case of the tribe Ata Manobo, the local government has previously made attempts to solve the water issue. Unfortunately, the windmill they erected was destroyed by a storm.

"We did another project na water system din. Hindi masyadong na-maintain 'yung system so nasira 'yung engine," said Santo Tomas Tourism Officer Dorina Ararao.

("We had another project for the water system in the area, but the engine broke.")

Engineer Mario Rebote said they also have new technology that could help, but it would eat up a big portion of the budget.

"As much as we want to provide them immediately ng water system, hindi ganun kadali. We might be a first class municipality pero 'yung budget namin, konti lang. Rest assured na sa Local Government Unit, pupursigihin namin na ma-realize 'yung project na 'yun."

("As much as we want to provide the residents with a proper water system, it's not easy. We may be a first class municipality, but our budget is still limited. But rest assured, we will do our best for the project to be fully realized.")

In the meantime, habal-habal driver na si Brondon has volunteered to fetch water for his community.

"Dahil wala akong ibang maitulong sa kanila. 'Yun lang talaga. Ang hirap talaga. OK lang po sa akin Sir na mag-deliver ako ng tubig."

("I have no other way to help them. It might be difficult, but it's okay. I can fetch water for the community.")

To help out, KMJS also offered financial assistance to the families.

But there is one thing that residents truly hope for—a long-term solution for a problem that's weighed them down for decades.

"Gusto ko na matulungan kami dito para magkaroon na din kami ng tubig dito," Janet said. "Para hindi na kami mahihirapan pang pumunta sa malayo."

("We hope that our community will be provided with proper water supply, so that we don't have to trek down a mountain just to fetch water.")