Having been witnessed by about 50 CityNet (an Asia-Pacific regional network of local authorities for the management of human settlements) members, City Mayors Nakada of Yokohama in Japan and Jejomar Cabauatan Binay of Makati in the Philippines cut the ceremonial ribbon of the Makati Science High School Sanitation Station Refilling Center, Nov. 14.
As a pilot school on sanitation in the country, the Makati Science received sanitation kits for all of its students and a refilling center from the CityNet, Unilever Philippines, Makati Environment Foundation, Rotary Club of Makati-Poblacion, and the Manila Water Company Inc (MWC).
Initiated by the City of Makati, through its Department of Health (DOH), its Department of Environmental Services (DES), and its Department of Engineering and Public Works, the Makati Science sanitation program has three components: the education and information campaign, the construction of the sanitation refilling center, and the evaluation and monitoring process.
Hygiene and Sanitation
Makati Science students and faculty members attended a series of hygiene and sanitation orientations conducted by the DES and the MWC at the Makati Science Audio Visual Room, Oct. 5.
According to Mrs Mildred Araza Castillo, DES Support Services Division head, improper hygiene and sanitation increases absenteeism and decreases cognitive development among students.
Representatives from the DES, the DOH, and the MWC emphasized the importance of hygiene and sanitation through simple hand washing techniques.
Sanitation Station
In a simple ceremony, Mayor Binay and Mayor Nakada formally opened the Makati Science Sanitation Station Refilling Center.
Equipped with hand sanitizer refilling kiosks, the sanitation station refilling center promotes sustainable sanitation and solid waste management programs where students could refill their sanitation kits by exchanging recyclable materials, such as newspapers and polyethylene bottles.
CityNet members, City of Makati officials, and DepEd-Makati personnel visited the sanitation station refilling center at the ground floor, Nov. 15.
“We will duplicate the sanitation program to other public schools in the city. Miss [Elena del Rosario] Ruiz, [Division of City Schools of Makati superintendent], when she saw the Makati Science sanitation station, was very amazed.
Program Duplication
“What we must do is to start with a fraction of our jurisdiction. Children nowadays are more receptive, and hopefully, they will pass the knowledge of proper hygiene and sanitation to their siblings and family members,” Mayor Binay said.
Mrs Castillo said that some countries will duplicate the school sanitation program and will install sanitation stations in public schools.
“We have to show to other countries how our school sanitation program works so that they could replicate it,” said Dr Danilo Villena Villas, DES head.
Mrs Celia Palaña-Flores and Miss Adoracion Cordoviz-San Pascual, Makati Science Science and Technology master teacher and Filipino Department coordinator, respectively, serve as coordinators of the sanitation program. |
