Continuing its efforts on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Manila Water Foundation (MWF) deployed drinking water and hygiene kits to public hospitals’ frontliners, local government units, police personnel and quarantined university students as the enhanced community quarantine remains to take effect in the country.

Water relief for public hospitals in Quezon City

To respond to the water supply needs of the health care workforce, Manila Water Foundation deployed much needed drinking water and water dispensers to six (6) Quezon City public hospitals for medical frontliners on March 25. A total of 300 units of 5-gallon bottled water with water dispensers were deployed to Quirino Medical Memorial Center (QMMC), Quezon City General Hospital (QCGH), Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC), Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP), Philippine Heart Center (PHC), and East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) to help their doctors, nurses and staff stay hydrated during this time of national health emergency.

Manila Water Foundation brings hygiene kits from its partners, PHILUSA Corporation and P&G Philippines to Antipolo City in Rizal.

Roch Pilones of the DOH Eye Center at the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) shared the current challenges in their hospital. "Many of our medical personnel are already facing the challenge head-on with dwindling medical supplies, protective equipment and basic needs such as food." In a message to MWF, he expressed his gratitude for the support extended by the organization. "In behalf of East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC), we would like to thank you for your generous donation to our frontliners. Your donations ensure that our frontliners are equipped to face the challenging days ahead.“

Water aid for QC university dormers

More than 200 students of the University of the Philippines – Diliman (UPD) in Quezon City remain stranded in their residence halls amid the enhanced community quarantine. It was reported that the university students were not able to go home to their provinces, nor can they receive their allowances from their families due to the pandemic.

Heeding the call of the stranded dormers, the Foundation deployed 50 pieces of five-gallon bottles of drinking water to Sampaguita Residence Hall at UPD on March 25. In a message, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jerwin Agpaoa extended gratitude for the donation. “These will be distributed to 10 dormitories of UPD to augment the drinking water supply of the 272 students quarantined in their respective residence halls,” he said.

Hygiene packs, water telief for MMDA frontliners, LGUs

Proper hand hygiene is one of the most important measures that can prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection. However, the lack of hygiene supplies can be a challenge for some communities.
 

Hygiene kits from Manila Water Foundation’s partners, PHILUSA Corp. and P&G Philippines include soap bars, hand sanitizers, shampoo sachets, toothbrushes, toothpaste sachets, tissue paper rolls, diapers, and sanitary napkins.

In partnership with P&G Philippines, Manila Water Foundation distributed more than 1,000 bars of Safeguard soap, info-educational materials on proper handwashing and toothbrushing, hand towels and bottles, 350ml Healthy Family purified drinking water to the local government units of Quezon City, Marikina City, Pasig City, Municipality of Pateros, and Cainta, Rizal on March 20. The hygiene kits were distributed to Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams, police and military personnel and other local frontliners who are working towards containing the respiratory disease in their respective areas.

On March 27, in coordination with PHILUSA Corporation and P&G Philippines, MWF also prepared hygiene kits and essential products with cases of 350ml Healthy Family drinking water for the local government units of Antipolo City for their healthcare workers, and Mandaluyong City, for its street-dwellers quarantined in their day-care centers.

Meanwhile, 1,000 pieces of 350ml bottled water were also provided for frontline workers from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on March 27.

MWF will also provide 2,248 pieces of 350ml bottled water for LGU frontliners in Makati City, Taguig City and Antipolo City on April 1.

WASH in emergencies

During this global health crisis, the World Health Organization (WHO) underscores the importance of safe water, sanitation, and hygienic conditions in protecting human health during all infectious disease outbreaks.

Cognizant of the crucial need for WASH in these trying times, Manila Water Foundation helps Filipinos through its Agapay program, which deploys drinking water and sanitation interventions in calamity-stricken areas, and through its Health in Our Hands program, a hygiene education campaign that promotes good hygiene practices as keys to healthy living.

As of March 30 at 4pm, the country has 1,546 confirmed cases of COVID-19.