The joint Water and Sanitation Program of DILG-GTZ together with other national agencies, non-government organizations, academe and partners from the WATSAN Sector gathered last January 21 for the Unang Bugso para sa Kalusugan at Kalinisan Kapaligiran. Inspired by the theme "Building a Strong Nation through Sustainable Sanitation",Unang Bugso marks the first series of activities to culminate in the Visayas-Mindanao Regional Sanitation Summit planned for April 2-3, 2008 in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Unang Bugso started with a press conference at the DILG Central Office. The DILG - GTZ together with the officials of DOH, DPWH, DENR-EMB and LWUA signed a Pledge of Commitment to support programs on sustainable sanitation. Media practitioners were encouraged as well to take an active role in this commitment.

The celebration was highlighted by an art exhibit and a free concert at the S.B. Plaza Hall in Quezon City Hall. The art exhibit showcased the painting and slogan entries of students who joined the contests of Unang Bugso. Professional artists from the U.P. Artist's Circle were invited as well on the exhibit. The free concert featured a number of prominent singers such as Aiza Seguerra, Bayang Barrios, Lolita Carbon of Asin and Cookie Chua of Color it Red. The official jingle ("Palasyo") of the program for this year's celebration of Year of Sanitation was also launched during the concert.

Unang Bugso aimed at informing and encouraging the public to take action on the silent crisis of sanitation. More than 300 people joined DILG-GTZ in the celebration.