Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses left schools in ruins after their strong winds and rains battered several parts of Luzon, including the province of Cagayan in 2020. These schools, which served as temporary shelters for evacuees during these times, were hit hard and faced structural damages from the impact of the typhoons.
Recognizing the role of proper hygiene in ensuring the health and safety of students and teachers during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, Manila Water Foundation (MWF) joined GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF) in providing new hygiene facilities for newly built classrooms at affected schools in Cagayan Province.
Lingap Eskwela in Cagayan
On August 25 and 26, MWF—observing health and safety protocols—trooped to Cagayan Province to formally turn over new five-faucet hygiene facilities at three public elementary schools, namely Calassitan Elementary School, Abariongan Uneg Elementary School, and Bural Integrated School.
Abariongan Uneg Elementary School Principal Reynold Vitin expressed his gratitude for the initiative. "’Yung school po namin, medyo mahirap ‘yung water namin dito,” he said. “Thank you so much for donating a handwashing facility for the school na talagang makakatulong para sa kalinisan, para malabanan natin ang COVID. Pinapaabot namin sa inyo, in behalf of the teachers, learners and the people of Abariongan Uneg Elementary School, lubos po kaming nagpapasalamat. Pinapangako namin na aalagaan namin yan para sa future generation," he added.
IN PHOTO: GMAKF Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Rikki Escudero-Catibog
Since 2018, MWF and GMAKF have been close partners in providing critical infrastructure for WASH in schools. GMAKF Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Rikki Escudero-Catibog shared, “I want to thank Manila Water Foundation for its support in our schools in Cagayan. Nandito po kami sa Abariongan Uneg Elementary School, nag-provide po sila ng five-faucet handwashing unit.” She further added, “Thank you so much dahil matagal na namin kayong partner. At lalo na ngayon sa panahon ng pandemya it is important to learn how to wash hands.”
Around 500 students and staff will be benefitting from this partnership in Cagayan.
The project is under MWF’s Lingap program which is an infrastructure development program that builds drinking, handwashing, and toothbrushing facilities in public institutions such as schools and health centers.
With valued partners, and especially during the ongoing pandemic, MWF forges on its commitment to bring WASH for all communities.
Lingap Eskwela in Aurora
Following the turnover of hygiene facilities for typhoon-hit schools earlier this year, Manila Water Foundation, in partnership with GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAF), completed the construction of five-faucet hygiene facility at Villa Aurora Elementary School on November 18.
