Each year, the International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH) recognizes individuals whose extraordinary contributions elevate our mission: expanding access to clean water and safe sanitation through the power of skilled labor. The 2025 IWSH Awards celebrate two champions whose work reflects the heart of our foundation—turning technical expertise into transformative impact. 

This year’s honorees come from vastly different geographies and career paths, but their stories converge on a shared truth: plumbing is public health infrastructure, and it takes committed people to deliver it where it’s needed most. 

Collage-style image of two pictures with men on job sites

(L) Shane DeLong on site at the Navajo Nation in New Mexico; (R) Bonifacio Magtibay on site with IWSH in Manila.

 

Dr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay: Linking Policy to Practice 

As a Technical Officer for Environmental and Occupational Health at the World Health Organization (WHO) Philippines office, Dr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay has spent nearly four decades advancing health outcomes through environmental engineering. But it was his recent collaboration with IWSH on a “Plumbing for Health” pilot project in Manila that truly showcased his belief in plumbing as a lever for systemic change. 

Working alongside IWSH and local partners, Dr. Magtibay helped uncover a disconnect between how sanitation infrastructure is evaluated (through tools like WASH FIT) and how plumbing systems actually function inside healthcare facilities. His response was not just academic—it was actionable. Under his guidance, the project led to a new government resolution supporting national plumbing-for-health standards in the Philippines. 

“This recognition is not only a personal milestone,” Dr. Magtibay said upon receiving the award, “but also a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to ensure that safe water, sanitation, and hygiene are a right enjoyed by all, not a privilege for the few.” 

For water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) advocates who seek measurable impact and systemic change, Dr. Magtibay’s work illustrates how targeted investments in plumbing expertise can shift national policy and improve lives at scale. 

 

Shane DeLong: Plumbing with Purpose for Indigenous People 

For master plumber Shane DeLong, the journey to an IWSH project site was deeply personal. A member of the Chippewa tribe, Shane grew up in North Dakota in a home without indoor plumbing. His early experiences set the foundation for a life of service through skilled labor. 

Shane joined the IWSH Community Plumbing Challenge at the Baca-Prewitt Chapter of the Navajo Nation in New Mexico, where volunteers brought hot water back to the Chapter House, something the vital community building had gone without for several years.

The project, part of a series of IWSH work to support Indigenous communities around the world, combined technical precision with cultural sensitivity. Shane installed a custom water heater system, but more importantly, he showed young community members what it looks like when a trade becomes a calling. 

“I didn’t know at the time that my childhood experience would turn into a desire to be a plumber,” Shane reflected. "Seeing IWSH connect with the Navajo people was special. Being a part of that connection makes me very proud.” 

Shane’s story highlights the IWSH success equation in action: skilled plumbers + quality products + community education = scalable WASH impact. IWSH donors can be confident that their contributions help unlock not only immediate plumbing repairs and upgrades, but also pathways for workforce development and Indigenous self-reliance. 

 

Why These Stories Matter 

At IWSH, we believe that plumbing isn’t just about pipes—it’s about people. We are grateful to expert volunteers who bring their talent, time, and heart to our mission, helping us demonstrate that small projects can lead to large-scale change. 

The 2025 IWSH Award recipients remind us that solving global water and sanitation challenges requires more than funding—it demands deep plumbing expertise, leadership, collaboration, and a commitment to human dignity. From influencing national health standards to transforming a local community center, both Dr. Magtibay and Shane DeLong exemplify what it means to mobilize the plumbing industry for good. 

 

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