Manila Water Foundation’s ‘WASH for All Communities’ acclaimed in PH, abroad

Manila Water Foundation received several local and international accolades for its Water Access, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives for marginalized communities in the country. Part of MWF’s WASH advocacy is the provision of hand hygiene facilities and drinking fountains for schools, public markets, and healthcare institutions.

Manila Water Foundation (MWF), the social development arm of Manila Water, has been at the forefront of driving positive change for communities and public institutions through programs for the environment and water access, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).

As a result, the foundation has been given awards and accolades, affirming its commitment to spreading its advocacy across the country to assist underserved communities.

In the 2023 World Oral Health Day Awards held in Sydney, Australia, by the Switzerland-based FDI World Dental Federation, Manila Water Foundation bagged the Best Branded Photo from its Philippine campaign celebrations in March.

“A significant highlight of Manila Water Foundation activities was the #MouthProud Photo Features, featuring individuals expressing their support and sharing personal commitments to their oral health. These impactful photos served as a compelling visual representation of their dedication and were widely circulated as part of their engaging social media campaign,” FDI President Ihsane Ben Yahya said.

The FDI World Dental Federation honored MWF for its series of impactful initiatives to promote proper oral hygiene practices for improved health.

These efforts in partnership with the Philippine Dental Association and PHILUSA Corporation were carried out under the ‘Health in Our Hands’ program, which encouraged everyone to embrace healthy habits, like proper toothbrushing, regular dental check-ups, and maintaining a nutritious diet.

Former PDA President Dr. Cheryl del Rosario commended MWF for its WOHD 2023 campaign efforts, saying, “MWF’s persistent inclusion of the improvement of oral health among Filipinos in their plans, programs, and activities has been instrumental in raising oral health awareness in numerous communities. Our joint efforts in championing Philippine oral health since 2019 have been challenging.

“During my term as the PDA President, PDA has truly found a strong ally to significantly impact individuals and promote commendable advocacies to make oral health services accessible to as many Filipinos as possible,” del Rosario added.

Maya Leander, the Head of Marketing at PHILUSA Corporation, also commended MWF’s health campaign efforts.

“The images from the 2023 World Oral Health Day commemoration in the Philippines showcase Manila Water Foundation’s genuine commitment to disseminating information on good oral health in the most remote communities, regardless of their distance,” Leander remarked.

Recently in Singapore, MWF served as a panelist at the Year in Infrastructure and Going Digital Awards 2023, organized by Bentley Systems, an infrastructure engineering software company with headquarters offices in the U.S., Ireland, and China.

Manila Water Foundation was lauded for its water supply system project that serves the Sitio Sapang Munti community within the Ipo Watershed in Norzagaray, Bulacan.

MWF Program Officer Engineer Harvey Aquino shared how using digital technologies accelerates efficiencies in community projects that deliver essential services such as water systems.

To WASH away adversities

Aligning and supporting efforts by local and national government, MWF showed agility by launching critical projects such as WASH in Pandemic and #SafeWASH in Schools, in partnership with P&G Safeguard.

Both pivots aimed to install hand hygiene facilities, supplies, educational resources, and information to support communities, institutions, and academia in facing the threat of COVID-19 in at-risk areas or hotspots in 2020.

The milestone project #SafeWASH in Schools remarkably improved access to hand hygiene facilities and supplies for over half a million individuals across 285 school campuses in the National Capital Region and the Province of Rizal.

Years later, WASH in Pandemic, #SafeWASH in Schools, and WASH O’clock, a collaborative campaign on WASH with UNICEF, are recognized as Bronze Awardees in the Healthy Pilipinas Awards for Partners 2023 led by the Department of Health.

Over time, WASH for All Communities has continued to evolve and has expanded its projects to encompass areas such as the environment, livelihood, and disaster recovery and rehabilitation. This initiative has generated greater good for all project partners and beneficiaries of Manila Water Foundation.

Recently, the Manila Water Foundation was honored to be part of the Circle of Excellence in the CSR Company of the Year category at the 2023 Asia CEO Awards. Manila Water Foundation shares and dedicates the honor to all private and public sector partners and the communities it serves.

Manila Water Foundation Executive Director Reginald Andal said: “We solemnly commit our unwavering dedication. There is immeasurable joy in witnessing the transformations that occur within communities, families, and individuals”.

Manila Water Foundation delivers WASH that strengthens community health and accelerates positive social change.

READ: Manila Water Foundation, DSWD partner on WASH for Nutrition