Pagsanjan, the town of the well-known waterfalls, is the newest area to be WASHed! This week, Manila Water Foundation, in partnership with Laguna Water, inaugurated hygiene and drinking facilities in two of the town’s schools: Jose A. Gallardo Sr. Elementary School and Sampaloc Elementary School.
Jose A. Gallardo Sr. Elementary School
The traverse to Jose A. Gallardo Sr. Elementary School (JAGSES) in Pagsanjan, Laguna takes a total of 4 hours of travel time from Manila, plus a few minutes of boat ride. However, the distance was not a hindrance to bring WASH to the school. The school was chosen as one of the two beneficiaries of Lingap Eskwela in the town.
Queen Maguicay, Grade 6 student, expressed her happiness about the project. “Masaya po ako kasi marami na pong matutulungan na bata, hindi na po sila magsisiksikan, di po kagaya ng dati na nag-uunahan po. Ang kahalagahan niya rin po, makakaiwas po tayo sa mga sakit, magiging malinis po ang katawan natin.”
Aside from the facilities, the MWF team also conducted a Health in Our Hands session, wherein students learned about the seven steps to proper handwashing and toothbrushing. IEC materials and hygiene kits were also provided to the school.
Meanwhile, Annabel Gumobao, the school’s head teacher, emphasized the importance of the facilities in the school. “Napakahalaga po nitong hygiene facilities na ibinigay ninyo. Lalong lalo na po, ang mga bata po ay magkakaroon na ng mga inumin at hindi na sila bibili ng tubig dahil malinis na po ang ibinigay niyong tubig,” she said. “Buong puso po kaming nagpapasalamat sa Manila Water Foundation at Laguna Water at kami po ay inyong napili na pagkalooban ng [hygiene and drinking] facilities. Talaga pong malaking tulong ito para sa aming mga mag-aaral, mga magulang, sa mga guro at sa aming komunidad. Maraming salamat po,” she thanked.
IN PHOTO: JAGSES Head Teacher Annabel Gumobao (front and center) with (L-R) Laguna Water Territory Manager Allan Arroyo, MWF Resource Mobilization Manager Nix Hipolito, MWF Flagship Program Manager Jubail Pasia, Laguna Water Sustainability Development Manager Eunice Cosico, and JAGSES teachers and staff.
IN PHOTO: Laguna Water Territory Manager Allan Arroyo during the turnover event at JAGSES
Sampaloc Elementary School
For Sampaloc Elementary School (SES), Estela Sardin, the school’s principal, shared that the kids no longer need to purchase water from the canteen and can now enjoy safe drinking water through the facility. “Dati, bumibili pa ang mga bata ng papiso-pisong tubig sa canteen. Monthly, nagco-consume din kami mga 50 gallons a month; Limited pa ‘yung pag-inom ng mga bata. Ngayon, since meron na din kaming drinking facility, ang mga bata ay libre nang makakainom ng maraming tubig at ‘yung ay good for their health,” she said.
In behalf of the two schools, Pagsanjan District Supervisor Lourdes Sarmiento-Gecolea also relayed her gratitude for the project and hopes to have more partnerships with the Foundation. “Ako'y nagpapasalamat sa Laguna Water at Manila Water Foundation dahil nabigyan niyo ng pansin ang paaralan na ito, gayundin ang aming paaralan sa JAGSES,” she thanked. “Asahan ninyo ang maiiwanan niyong facility ay pangagalaan upang di lamang ang mga bata ngayon ang makinabang, kundi sa mga darating na henerasyon po. Lubus-lubos po ang kasiyahan ng inyong lingkod bilang taga-pamahala ng mga paaralan dito sa distrito, ganundin ang namumuno ng paaralan, kanilang principal, mga guro, higit sa lahat ang mga bata,” she said.
IN PHOTO: (Second row from L-R) MWF Executive Director Reginald Andal, SES Principal Estela Sardin, Laguna Vice Governor Katherine Agapay, Laguna Water General Manager and COO Shoebe Caong, Pagsanjan Water District General Manager Engr. Alex Paguio, and Pagsanjan Mayor Peter Casius Trinidad with students of SES (front) and Board Members of the Pagsanjan Water District (back)
MWF hopes that through the Lingap facilities and the Health in Our Hands sessions, the two schools will be able to continue to mold healthy children today and the generations to come.