Manila Water Foundation (MWF) is doing its part in helping the community through its efforts on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) amid the COVID-19 pandemic. MWF has deployed drinking water and hygiene kits to public hospitals’ frontliners, local government units, police personnel and quarantined university students as the enhanced community quarantine remain to take effect in the country.
To respond to the water supply needs of the health care workforce, MWF has delivered much-needed drinking water and water dispensers to six (6) Quezon City public hospitals for medical frontliners last 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.
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.
Even the students who are currently in their respective dorms in Quezon City received support from MWF. 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.
In addition to water, MWF, In partnership with P&G Philippines, 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.
Last 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 last April 1.
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.
Photo Courtesy: manilawaterfoundation.org, phildoc.com,
