On its third leg , Manila Water Foundation implements LCFWins with major partner, Holcim Philippines, this time in Barangay Matictic in Norzagaray, Bulacan on October 22.
Sapang Kawayan Elementary School
With limited access to the internet, pupils of Sapang Kawayan Elementary School need more non-digital instructional resources to ensure that their learning continues in spite of the pandemic
Adjusting to the “new normal” has been a challenge for teachers and pupils alike, according to Teacher Niño of Sapang Kawayan Elementary School (SKES). With limited access to the internet, pupils of SKES need more non-digital instructional resources to ensure that their learning continues in spite of the pandemic. “Itong pong area namin, mahirap po talaga ang internet access. Kaya po ‘yung mga [mag-aaral] namin, hindi sila informed talaga (Our area has limited internet access. That is why our pupils aren’t properly informed),” he said.
IEC materials about the COVID-19 precautionary measures and proper handwashing and hygiene kits for the pupils of Sapang Kawayan Elementary School
To help bridge the gap, especially on hygiene, three hundred (300) pieces of information, education and communication (IEC) materials and 200 hygiene kits were provided to the school. The materials, including posters, flyers, and MWF’s WASH storybooks, would help parents relay the information about the COVID-19 precautionary measures and proper handwashing to their kids without needing to go online. The hygiene kits are packed with soaps, sanitizers, face masks, and other hygiene products that would reiterate the necessary measures during the new normal. Overall, more than 700 pupils will be benefitting from this initiative.
“Malaki po ‘yung matutulong nitong reading materials, especially sa handwashing (These reading materials would greatly help, especially on handwashing,” Teacher Niño said. “Sa pamamagitan nito—pagpasok po ng parents, maidi-distribute po kaagad namin sa kanila. At the same time, mababasa po nila ‘yung mga dapat po nilang malaman regarding handwashing, safety precautions at ‘yung mga dapat pa nilang malaman ngayon pandemic (We can quickly distribute these to the parents, and they’ll be able to read and learn more about handwashing amid the pandemic),” he added.
Barangay Matictic and Municipal Health Office of Norzagaray, Bulacan
Aside from SKES, seven hundred (700) pieces of IEC materials were also provided to Barangay Matictic and the Municipal Health Unit of Norzagaray. The materials, including flyers, posters, and signages, will be displayed in common areas such as the barangay hall, health center, daycare center, outposts, covered courts, as well as in common commerce areas such as public markets, sari-sari stores, and transport terminals. These materials aim to reach more than 14,000 individuals from the Barangay.
In a message, Dr. George Peppard Paitim, Municipal Health Officer of Norzagaray, Bulacan, expressed his heartfelt thanks for the donation of IEC materials. Addressing project proponents Holcim Philippines and MWF, he shared, “The support we receive from strong community partners like you makes a big difference in our ability to help and mitigate this COVID-19 pandemic in our community and enable us to be of better service.”
Hon. Marcial Lucas, Captain of Barangay Matictic, also shared that placing these materials in strategic areas would help inform more people in their community. “Malaking karagdagan din po ‘yung inyong itinutulong dahil mas marami ang mararatingan. Maganda na ito ay mababasa sa matatao na lugar dito sa aming barangay—sa aming barangay hall, barangay annex, sa schools, at areas kung saan may nagkakatipun-tipon (This augments our efforts and would help reach more people. It would be best if these [materials] will be displayed in crowded places in our barangay—the barangay hall, barangay annex, schools, and other congested areas.” he said.
Advancing WASH in the Pandemic
Holcim Philippines’ and Manila Water Foundation’s partnership was forged from the League of Corporate Foundations’ call for collective impact among its member corporations and corporate foundations through the project, LCFWinS: Lingap Eskwela sa Pandemya.
Holcim CSR Manager Melchor Soylon shared that Barangay Matictic is one of the host communities for their business operations, and the pandemic would not stop them to give back and support the community. “Dahil po sa pandemya ay talagang tutulong at saka susuporta din talaga kami sa aming host barangay para maiwasan yung COVID-19 (We are eager to help and support our host barangay to prevent the spread of COVID-19 amid the pandemic)” he said. He also mentioned that this project is an opportunity to empower the community in strengthening their information campaign about COVID-19. “Para po sa Barangay Matictic—they own this project as well—hindi lang po ang Manila Water Foundation, at and Holcim as sponsor (For Barangay Matictic—they own this project as well—not just Manila Water Foundation and Holcim as sponsor),” he added.
This effort is under Holcim Philippines’ and Manila Water Foundation’s partnership that was forged from the League of Corporate Foundations’ call for collective impact among its member corporations and corporate foundations through the project, LCFWinS: Lingap Eskwela sa Pandemya. Manila Water Foundation serves as the lead implementer of the LCFWinS project.