Taguig schools to receive eco-friendly handwashing stations in support of Global Handwashing Day

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In celebration of Global Handwashing Day, Procter & Gamble (P&G) Philippines, the multinational company behind the number 1 anti-bacterial soap in the Philippines Safeguard, is donating eco-friendly handwashing stations to 19 schools in Taguig City as part of its commitment to bringing health and hygiene to Filipinos across the country.

From left to right: P&G Philippines Corporate Communications Manager King Martin Agoncillo, Head of Taguig City Health Office Dr. Norena Osano, Taguig City Health Office Executive Assistant for Health Dr. Cecille Montales, and School Governance and Operations Division (SGOD) OIC Chief Dr. Roldan Jamindang

Global Handwashing Day is celebrated every year, on October 15, which aims to promote the importance of proper handwashing with soap as an easy and effective way to prevent the spread of germs and keep communities safe from diseases. 

This initiative is part of P&G's #SafeWASH program in collaboration with Manila Water Foundation, which aims to strengthen efforts to promote the importance of proper handwashing with soap and water in schools. The project underscores the significance of WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) in schools, a commitment at the core of the joint project between the two organizations. The eco-friendly handwashing stations will be constructed in partnership with Green Antz Builders using eco-bricks, which are made by turning plastic waste into durable building blocks. 

“These eco-friendly handwashing stations will promote proper WASH habits that will help protect students and teachers from disease-causing bacteria and viruses while also championing sustainability, says King Martin Agoncillo, Corporate Communications Manager at P&G Philippines. 

Sample eco-bricks that will be used to construct the 19 eco-friendly handwashing stations.

In another Global Handwashing Day Celebration, P&G supported Pasig LGU’s "Apir Tayo, Pasigueno! Global Handwashing Day Fair 2023" in partnership with Manila Water Foundation, benefitting over 1,000 Pasiguenos, including PWDs, 4Ps beneficiaries, Muslim market vendors, enforcers, and health workers.

P&G has been a consistent partner of MWF since 2020 in providing students with quality handwashing facilities; promoting health and hygiene through good handwashing practices. The partnership has since constructed 285 handwashing stations, reaching over 1 million students, teachers, and other school staff in over 285 schools in Metro Manila. 

Manila Water Foundation, brings importance of Earth Day to kids

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Manila Water Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the Manila Water group for areas within Metro Manila and beyond, engaged youngsters in a day full of exciting activities that expressed the value of taking care of Mother Earth.

“The Foundation’s Earth Day celebration reflects how we would like to implant the importance of being mindful of the environment’s condition and the efforts needed to be taken to improve it at grassroots level,” said Carla Beriña-Kim, Executive Director of Manila Water Foundation. “Educating the youth during their developmental years would promote the formation of consciousness and habits that will shape an active public geared at forging a sustainable future,” she adds.

Almost a hundred children aged six and above participated in a story telling teaching the role of water cycle in the environment and in the Amazing Kiddie Race which included stations that stressed the importance of using water wisely such as the Water Relay Station. 

Christine Casabar, parent of one of the participants shares the Foundation’s vision of inculcating the value of protecting the environment in an early age. 

“This stage is very crucial because it is the time that the learnings are readily accepted and embraced,” said Casabar.

According to Roy Gonzaga, parent of one of the participants, his daughter Rayne shared how she gained environmental awareness and enjoyed her first step to taking care of Mother Earth through the seedling planting activity. “As parents, we play a critical role of developing the awareness and responsibility of the future generation towards the environment,” said Gonzaga. “After all, they will be the ones who will inherit our planet and reap or sow depending on our present actions”.

The full day event ended with splashes and laughter as kids jumped and swam in the pool the rest of the afternoon. 

This Earth Day celebration was done in cooperation with Manila Water Company, Museo Pambata, Philippine Book Fairs and Education Inc., and Metropolitan Water Works and Sewerage System.

Manila Water Foundation donates P5 million to Habitat for Humanity for relocated families in Laguna

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Manila Water Foundation, the additional corporate social responsibility arm of East Zone concessionaire Manila Water Company for areas outside Metro Manila, gives P5 million to relocated families in Southville Site 2, Calaun, Laguna through the Habitat for Humanity Philippines.

According to Ferdinand M. Dela Cruz, President of Manila Water Foundation, the donation is dedicated for the implementation of the water system project designed for 1,100 housing units. 

“This support reflects the Foundation’s vision to improve the lives and contribute to the holistic development of marginalized communities by becoming a vehicle of delivering one of their basic needs, water,” says Dela Cruz.

Photo shows (from left to right): JP Orbeta, Group Head, Ayala Corporation; Charlito Ayco; Yvonne Lih, CFO, Habitat; Luli Heras-De Leon, President, Ayala Foundation; Carla May Beriña-Kim, Executive Director, Manila Water Foundation; Gerardo Ablaza, Jr.; Ferdinand M. Dela Cruz, President, Manila Water Foundation; Ruel T. Maranan, Trustee, Manila Water Foundation

The undertaking by Manila Water Foundation, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Philippines, is part of an agreement entered into by the Ayala group in 2010 which aims to provide a decent life to Base of the Pyramid (BOP) communities by providing their primary necessities such as shelter, community association, water supply and sanitation. With this, Manila Water Foundation allotted P6 million to support the construction of a facility that will deliver safe, clean, and affordable water to the homes of Southville Site 2 residents. The beneficiaries of the said project were relocated from Pasig City after typhoon Ondoy left them homeless. To serve the residents’ immediate need for water, the Foundation initially refurbished a deep well pump, installed a control panel, and set up two temporary static tanks which are refilled with potable water every week. The amount incurred for this undertaking was deducted from the original amount pledged.

Manila Water Foundation has also provided a technical design of a water system that may be implemented to the area to ensure the effective and efficient transmission and distribution of water.

Manila Water Foundation upholds importance of proper handwashing

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Manila Water Foundation, the additional corporate social responsibility arm of East Zone concessionaire Manila Water Company for areas outside Metro Manila, visited different parts of the archipelago spreading the value of handwashing as part of proper hygiene and healthcare. The Foundation joined over 100 countries, involving more than 200 million people across five continents in celebrating the 2013 Global Handwashing Day.

Carla Beriña-Kim, Executive Director of Manila Water Foundation, imparts that handwashing serves as an easy and cost-effective measure in preventing different infections and diseases. “This simple task can lower the number of people affected by fast-spreading illnesses that take a toll not only on one’s health, but also on the family’s budget. When done properly, regularly and collectively, handwashing can create healthier communities”, says Beriña-Kim.

On its first year to lead a series of events for the Global Handwashing Day in the Philippines, Manila Water Foundation staged a week-long celebration that saw more than 7,000 people participating in its activities. Students, teachers, and school personnel from different schools in Metro Manila, Pampanga, Laguna, and Boracay Island were visited by the Foundation, informing them on the proper way of washing one’s hands and how responsibly transforming this into a habit may reduce vulnerability to different health risks and infections. 

Partakers were encouraged to stamp their handprints on the pledge wall to signify their commitment to practice proper handwashing and to encourage their family and friends to do the same. In a move to further its advocacy, Manila Water Foundation extended its efforts by setting up booths that deliver information on the benefits of handwashing in Trinoma Mall in Quezon City, Pavillion Mall in Biñan, Laguna, Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna and Marquee Mall in Angeles, Pampanga. Participants showed their support to the cause by contributing in the pledge sticker wall. As its culminating event, the Foundation conducted an information and education drive at the Boracay Beach Front Station One and enjoined tourists and locals alike to practice proper handwashing.

The successful celebration was co-presented by Manila Water, Laguna Water, Clark Water, Boracay Water, and supported by the Department of Education, Globe Telecom, Ayala Malls, Unilever (Vaseline as official soap sponsor), Universal Robina Corporation (Granny Goose Tortillos, Mang Juan, Hunt’s and Refresh), Unilab (RiteMed and Ceelin Plus) and Enchanted Kingdom, as well as media partners, The Philippine Star, Business World, Health Today and Working Mom.