The celebration of World Water Day this year drumbeats the value of water. The activity in Tagbilaran City was highlighted by the turnover of handwashing stations to the City Government on Monday, March 22. Downstage, from left are Coca-Cola Plant Manager Lester Bacomo, Tagbilaran City Waterworks Head Engr. Peter Busano, City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II, United States Agency for International Development-Strengthening Urban Resilience and Equity (USAID-Surge) Project Coordinator Dr. Rosalinda Paredes, Bohol Integrated Development Foundation (BIDEF) Officer Francis Batoy and Bohol Environment Management Officer Villa Pelindingue. On stage from left are: Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federated President Raul Aparicio, City Councilor Jonas Cacho, Holy Name University (HNU) President Fr. Ruel Lero, City Councilor Eliezer “Ondoy“ Borja, City Administrator Cathelyn Torremocha, and Rev. Fr. Milo Mapaye. Photo courtesy of City Media Bureau
The Coca-Cola Foundation turns over handwashing stations to the City Government during the activity celebrating World Water Day. The activity took place on March 22, 2021, according to a report from the City Media Bureau.
The said foundation, in partnership with the City Government of Tagbilaran, United States Agency for International Development‘s (USAID) Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) Project, and Bohol Integrated Development Foundation, Inc. (BIDEF) worked together to build handwashing stations placed in key areas in Tagbilaran City.
The handwashing stations are part of the program of the City Government to fight the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the virus that causes the Coronavirus disease (Covid).
These handwashing stations are installed in strategic public places with heavy foot traffic like the Central Public Market, Cogon Market, Manga Market, Cogon Terminal, Causeway, Old Tagbilaran Airport, CPG Park, Integrated Bus Terminal, and Bohol National Museum.
A handwashing station will also be installed in the City Health Office next week.
Health experts have emphasized the need to facilitate frequent handwashing for improved hygiene. Handwashing can prevent the spread of infectious diseases like diarrhea, pneumonia, cholera, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and Ebola, among others.
Studies showed that handwashing was also proven to be an effective means of preventing the spread of Covid.
The Coca-Cola Foundation through its representative Lester Bacomo handed over the handwashing stations which was also attended via ZOOM session by participants from Manila led by USAID Surge Project Chief of Party Sergio Andal Jr, USAID Philippines Deputy Director Paul Seong, and President of the Coca-Cola Foundation, Maria Cecilia Alcantara.
“This celebration is indeed meaningful, with the turn-over of the handwashing stations, constructed with the support of Coca-Cola, USAID Surge Project, and BIDEF, the City Government is sending a clear message that together we can fight the spread of diseases through the power of water used in a simple age-old practice of handwashing. We are indeed grateful to our partner stakeholders for painstakingly implementing and supervising its construction. We thank the Holy Name University for assisting the Tagbilaran City Waterworks in the ocular inspection and installation and we are also happy that with the support of the USAID Surge Project, our Social Marketing Team was capacitated in conducting a month-long information education campaign that has reached more than 2,000 Tagbilaranons in public markets, barangays, malls, and business establishments in the City.”, Yap said.
The ceremony also showcased the launch of the Water Research Institute of the Holy Name University and the commitment signing for sustainable handwashing practices in Tagbilaran City.