Manila Water Foundation boosts WASH support for schools

MANILA, Philippines — Over 160,000 learners now have improved access to safe drinking water and multi-faucet hygiene facilities.

The Manila Water Foundation’s (MWF) Lingap program, which champions water access, sanitation and hygiene or WASH, has been enabling hygiene habits on campus. Through multi-faucet hygiene facilities, rehabilitating campus water lines and toilets, the MWF supports the health and well-being of learners and the school community.

Recognizing the need for clean drinking water, the foundation and valued partners handed over refrigerated drinking fountains (RDFs) for public school campuses. With valued partners, Manila Water Foundation recently turned over 94 RDFs and hundreds of water tumblers to serve the campus community with refreshingly clean drinking water. With the RDFs encouraging the use of water tumblers, the initiative aligns with solid waste management programs and helps protect the environment.

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In June, Opella Healthcare Philippines and Manila Water Foundation handed over 12 RDFs and drinking kits for Pasig City schools as part of the Batang Matatag campaign to promote hygiene and gut health. Boxes of Erceflora probiotics were also handed over to school health professionals to supplement diarrhea case management on campus. A second wave of 15 RDFs were handed over for more schools in partnership with the Department of Education Pasig City Schools Division Office.

In Quezon City, an RDF, WASHup! handwashing stations and cleaning materials were handed over to Krus na Ligas Elementary School in a partnership with the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers to serve 3,200 learners, teachers and staff.

In Taguig City, the MWF handed over 28 RDFs for schools in the city and for schools in the municipality of Pateros.

In Antipolo City, 25 RDFs were handed over for schools and city public spaces. Antipolo City Vice Mayor Randy Puno Jr. attended the event and expressed his gratitude to MWF for the support for learners, teachers and the general public.

In Marikina City, 13 RDFs and drinking kits were handed over to city schools and Mayor Marjorie Ann “Maan” Teodoro said that the provision of RDFs align with the city’s solid waste management programs as it encourages the use of water tumblers.

Beyond hydration, MWF sustains its efforts to champion hygiene. Serving learners in the municipality of Pakil, Laguna, two sets of multi-faucet hygiene facilities were inaugurated at the Cornelio Celis Dalena Elementary School and Pakil Elementary School.

READ: Manila Water Foundation pushes community oral health, hygiene

In partnership with Prime Infra Foundation, MWF handed over hygiene kits which included bars of Safeguard, a hand towel and info-education materials on hygiene. Sets of WASHup! handwashing stations were also donated to select health centers across the town to improve access to water for proper hand washing and prevent the spread of disease-causing germs.

Sustaining collaboration with the public and private sector partners, the foundation remains committed to co-create healthier public institutions by enabling hygiene and hydration in schools and communities. Interested partners for WASH may email foundation@manilawater.com.