Manila Water Foundation, along with Safeguard Philippines and Manila Water East Zone Business Operations Group, hand over boxes of Safeguard hand soaps to 12 public hospitals through the “Maging Ligtas, Mag-#SAFEWASH” campaign. The campaign aims to promote hand washing with soap and water to avoid spreading communicable diseases, especially COVID-19, in public areas and institutions.
MANILA, Philippines — Manila Water Foundation, in partnership with Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and Safeguard Philippines, provided product support to 12 public hospitals as part of their campaign to promote hand washing with soap and water, aiming to prevent the spread of germs and communicable diseases.
This initiative is a component of the Health in our Hands program by Manila Water Foundation, which aims to raise awareness about the significance of sanitation and healthy habits such as proper toothbrushing and hand washing.
The donation comes at a crucial time, with the Department of Health (DOH) reporting a surge in COVID-19 cases and the emergence of the XBB.1.16 Omicron COVID-19 subvariant, commonly known as “Arcturus,” with 28 infections in the country.
During the event, Shoebe Caong, Manila Water East Zone Business Operations Group Director, stated, “We would like to affirm our commitment and support, especially to our customers and [partner hospitals at the] forefront of the fight against COVID-19. Our share in this initiative is to ensure that our partner hospitals have a continuous and adequate water supply, 24/7.”
Caong also emphasized that the same level of service quality should be expected as Manila Water collaborates with local government units (LGUs) to anticipate the effects of El Niño.
Jonathan Lamug, Acting Manager of Policy, Planning, and Public Relations at the MWSS, expressed support for the various water access, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs led by Manila Water and Manila Water Foundation.
Representatives from the public hospitals expressed gratitude to Safeguard Philippines and Manila Water Foundation for their timely initiative. The donated premium hygiene products will be utilized in the hospital washrooms and hand washing areas. These products will also protect the frontliners, including nurses, hospital staff, and doctors, who deliver critical healthcare services.
“On behalf of the Philippine General Hospital, we would like to thank Manila Water Foundation and its valued partner, P&G Safeguard Philippines, for choosing PGH as one of the recipients of hygiene products and for promoting Maging Ligtas, Mag-#SAFEWASH. Your donation will greatly assist the PGH community, and rest assured that these supplies will be distributed to our patients and health workers who are most in need of protection, especially now that we are experiencing an increase in COVID-19 positivity rate,” expressed Niña Zabal, a representative from the Philippine General Hospital.
The following public hospitals have received the hygiene products: Antipolo City Hospital – System Annex 3, Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in Marikina, East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City, Mandaluyong City Medical Center, Ospital ng Makati, Pasig City General Hospital, Pedro Gil Lying-in Center in Manila, Philippine Blood Center in Quezon City, Philippine General Hospital, San Juan Medical Center, Sta. Ana Hospital – Manila, and Taguig Pateros District Hospital. These donations will contribute to maintaining a safe and germ-free environment for patients, visitors, and frontliners.
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