June 17—Water access, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is critical for practicing good personal hygiene especially during this time of the pandemic. On June 16, Manila Water Foundation (MWF), in partnership with the Philippine Dental Association (PDA), turned over a ten-faucet handwashing facility to San Juan Elementary School (SJES) and donated hygiene products for school-aged children as well as to the San Juan City Government.
The turnover of the hygiene facility serves as the culminating activity of the World Oral Health Day (WOHD) celebration, of which a partnership with Philippine Dental Association (PDA), PHILUSA Corporation, and Dok Juan was forged. It is also in support to MWF’s WASH in Pandemic for Schools initiative.
Dr. Alvin Laxamana, current president of PDA, reminded that the turnover of the facility is not the end of the intervention, but should be maintained well too, so more individuals can use it in the future. “Let us maintain this WASH facility provided by Manila Water Foundation and Philippine Dental Association. I hope that this will serve the purpose that it was meant to be—for the kids to practice handwashing and toothbrushing,” he said in Filipino.
Aside from the handwashing facility, the 150 hygiene kits and 200 hygiene posters on proper handwashing and toothbrushing were handed over to the SJES which will help equip its 2,300 pupils in practicing proper hygiene measures. The San Juan Elementary School General Parents Teachers Association will ensure the distribution of the hygiene kits to select students in the neighboring communities.
MWF and PDA also visited the San Juan City Hall where Mayor Francis Zamora received 500 bottles of drinking water, posters on proper handwashing and toothbrushing, 24 gallons of ethyl alcohol, 1,000 pieces of various hygiene products, and face shields for frontliners.
These efforts are under Manila Water Foundation WASH in Pandemic initiative that aims to bring water access, sanitation, and hygiene interventions to communities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
To MWF Executive Director Reginald Andal, the health crisis is all the more reason to advance WASH to more communities, especially in vulnerable areas. “Manila Water Foundation is your partner in advocating for the health of our students and communities. This is our commitment: We will continue to be of service, so we could expand and do more WASH interventions in schools and communities,” he said in a speech.
MWF would like to extend its thanks to its generous partners for providing the hygiene products that would keep families and communities healthy in San Juan and SJES: PHILUSA Corporation for the gallons of Cleene ethyl alcohol, CLIO toothbrushes, dental floss, foaming hand soaps; Philippine Dental Association for the face shields; and Dok Juan, for more toothbrushes and toothpastes.
Do you also believe that #WASHinPandemic is important? Help us, and give today! You can do online transfer to:
MANILA WATER FOUNDATION INC.
BPI Account No. 3081-1182-39
SWIFT CODE: BOPIPHMM
or visit this link: https://bit.ly/MWFDonate
To acknowledge your donation, send a screenshot of proof of deposit via private message or email foundation@manilwater.com.
[DSWD Authority/Solicitation Permit No. DSWD-SB-SP-00055-2020]