Key personalities show the information materials for the handwashing campaign backed by the City Government of Tagbilaran. The campaign is dubbed as “Hunaw Kontra Kagaw” (HKK). From left are: Executive Director of Bohol Integrated Development Foundation (BIDEF) Francis Batoy, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federated President of Tagbilaran Raul Aparicio, City Waterworks head Engr. Peter Busano, Dr. Rosalinda Paredes, Project Coordinator of the United States Agency for International Development – Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth and Equity (USAID-SURGE), City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II, City Health Officer Dr. Jeia Pondoc, and Coca-Cola Philippines’ Lester Bacomo. Photo courtesy of City Media Bureau
The local government unit (LGU) of Tagbilaran kicks off its handwashing campaign as a means to help mitigate the spread of diseases such as Coronavirus disease (Covid).
The launch of the campaign dubbed as “Hunaw Kontra Kagaw” (HKK) also coincided with the signing of the executive order creating the Tagbilaran Water Security Council.
The City Media Bureau reports that the launch activity was a blended one with participants engaging online with other participants physically present at the launch at the City Hall Atrium on Feb. 16, 2021.
City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II received the campaign materials from United States Agency for International Development-Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth and Equity (USAID-SURGE) Project Coordinator Dr. Rosalinda Paredes. Paredes was joined by City Health Officer Dr. Jeia Pondoc, City Administrator Cathelyn Torremocha, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federated President Raul Aparicio, City Waterworks head Engr. Peter Busano, Coca-Cola Philippines’ Lester Bacomo, and Bohol Integrated Development Foundation Executive Director Francis Batoy, at the City Hall Atrium.
“We have fully supported handwashing campaigns as this is one of the most effective and cheapest way to combat the [Coronavirus disease] Covid pandemic. It is also the safest method to control other illnesses and diseases, like diarrhea, pneumonia, flu, ebola, and cholera. Our social marketing and [information, education campaign] IEC team, trained by the USAID SURGE project, will be at the forefront in the conduct of the handwashing IEC campaigns, in collaboration with the different sectors of our Tagbilaran community. We believe that if we work together, we go a long way”, Yap said in his speech during the event.
Furthermore, Mayor Yap also signed the executive order creating the Tagbilaran City Water Security Council chaired by Tagbilaran City People’s Council President, Marietta Gasatan, and City Environment and Natural Resources Officer, Caesar Pelaez, as vice-chairperson.
“The main task of the [water security] council is to foster public-private collaboration to attain adequate, safe, and sustainable water supply at the same time ensure appropriate water management at the demand side. This council will prepare a Water Demand Management Action Plan to guide the city in the next five years. I am pleased and happy with these initiatives. The city is not only complying with the provisions of the Clean Water Act but, most of all, we are ensuring that Tagbilaranons are healthy, safe and water-secure”, Yap emphasized.
As the pandemic remains in our midst, HKK is relevant and timely. The nine (9) handwashing stations are currently being installed in the different public markets in Tagbilaran City. The handwashing campaign will run from February 17 to March 31, 2021, with IEC materials being broadcast via digital posters, radio plugs, and informational videos.
The installation of handwashing facilities reinforces the call of the City Government to institutionalize good hygiene and handwashing practices.