Tubig for Tomorrow: Ensuring clean water for schoolchildren one drop at a time

Amid the murky issues of corruption, inequality, and poverty flooding the country today, a new generation of changemakers is making a difference in the lives of their less-fortunate peers. 

Tubig for Tomorrow is a youth-led advocacy founded by International School Manila student Jacob Tay to ensure that every school child across the Philippines has access to a most basic need: clean, safe drinking water.

101 on Iot and why water matters

According to the Department of Education, nearly 4,000 public schools in the Philippines still lack clean water: One in three schools struggles to provide safe drinking water, putting students’ health and learning—and their future—at risk.

With their young hearts set on change and a passion for technology, Tubig for Tomorrow’s can-do team of teens is on a mission to bridge the gap in school water infrastructure by raising awareness of water access challenges, engaging communities and partners to support long-term solutions, and using IoT (Internet of Things) technology to optimize water systems. They designed and deployed an IoT device to monitor water fountains in school, ensuring that every drop is clean, safe, and accessible.

About dignity and unity 

And now, meet our inspiring, untiring, unrelenting team: Jacob “Jet” Tay, organization founder; Maia Gamboa, social media; Blivia Zhang, engineering and web design; Fernando Padilla, engineering; Ti Chung, business; Kei Kobayashi, public relations; Lex Chung, secretary.

These teens are driven by their passion for technology, and moved by their unflinching spirit to give more to those who have less. 

But it’s not just about technology. Tubig for Tomorrow is about dignity and unity; it’s about communities coming together and reaching out.

Taking time out from their busy school schedule, members of Tubig for Tomorrow connect the dots and pour their hearts out to answer life’s most pressing question: What are you doing for others? 

Surely, they passed the test with flying colors. Here are excerpts from The Philippine STAR interview. 

THE PHILIPPINE STAR: Who/what is Tubig for Tomorrow partnering with?

JACOB TAY: We work with both private and government partners to install water fountains, each equipped with IoT technology, which allows real-time monitoring of water flow, volume, and temperature to ensure the systems are working properly and that all partners can track measurable impact. 

We’re combining innovation with empathy.

How do you select the schools you support?

JACOB TAY: We collaborate with the Manila Water Foundation through its WASH (water access, sanitation, and hygiene) program which has already provided over 100 water fountains to public schools across Metro Manila. We also consult with DepEd to identify schools, particularly those in underserved areas that still lack access to safe, potable drinking water. 

Some local government officials, like Governor Trina Firmalo-Fabic of Romblon, have reached out after learning about our work online. We’re preparing to expand to more schools in the province.

Why is this important for education? 

TI CHUNG: Access to clean water is essential for learning. Hydrated students are healthier, more focused, and more engaged in class.

How serious is the problem of water access in schools?

FERNANDO PADILLA: According to DepEd data cited by World Vision, around 3,600 schools nationwide still lack access to clean drinking water—or roughly one in three schools, meaning students face daily challenges because something as basic as safe water is missing.

What inspired you to start this project? 

JACOB TAY: During a school immersion, we saw how students and teachers had to bring their own drinking water, which made us realize how deeply water access affects everyday life in schools.

How does the IoT system work? 

FERNANDO PADILLA: Our device continuously monitors both water quality and usage through the Inventi platform which tracks key indicators, such as flow rate, total volume, temperature, and pH levels. The data is securely transmitted to a cloud server powered by AWS, then processed through the Inventi platform. This allows us to monitor conditions in real time and ensure that the water students drink remains consistently safe and clean.

What makes your approach different? 

TI CHUNG: Our model combines sponsorship and innovation. We partner with companies, like Home Along PH and Amazon Web Services (AWS), to fund and donate water fountains to schools that need them. 

What’s next for Tubig for Tomorrow? 

TI CHUNG: After our Quezon City project, we’re expanding with support from AWS to install water fountains at Sto. Tomas City National High School in Batangas and Odiongan South Central Elementary School in Romblon. These projects will benefit thousands of students and we’re just getting started.

What’s your long-term vision? 

FERNANDO PADILLA: We want every child in the Philippines to have access to safe drinking water in school. Through innovation, partnerships, and youth engagement, we hope to make this change lasting and scalable, so future generations never have to worry about such a basic need. 

What results have you seen so far? 

JACOB TAY: Our first installation was at Old Balara Elementary School in Quezon City, which serves about 1,080 students. Partnering with Home Along PH, we installed a new IoT-equipped water fountain. Within a year, the school is projected to save nearly P100,000, compared to bottled water costs. That’s 144% return on investment in the first year alone, funds which can instead go to other school needs.

Why should companies or individuals support Tubig for Tomorrow? 

JACOB TAY: Sponsoring this initiative means investing in health, education, and sustainability.