Laguna Water and Manila Water Foundation Celebrate Global Handwashing Day in Santa Rosa

In photo (left to right): Dr. Alain Cabodil of the Department of Education- Santa Rosa Division; Josefina Arcillas of the City Government of Santa Rosa; Dr. Rene Bagamasmad of the Pronvicial Government of Laguna; Carla Kim of Manila Water Foundation; ; Eunice Ricaforte of Laguna Water; and Jed Lagman of the City Government of Santa Rosa

Advocating the importance of proper handwashing with soap, Laguna Water and Manila Water brought the Global Handwashing Day celebration to Pulong Santa Cruz Elementary School in Santa Rosa City, Laguna last October 10.

Global Handwashing Day promotes a global advocacy dedicated to raise public awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing with soap as the most effective and affordable way to prevent people from acquiring diarrheal illnesses and respiratory infections.

With the theme “Our Hands, Our Future,” hundreds of students and teachers were reminded that more than promoting a healthy life, handwashing is a key element of a better future. Participants of the GHD event also learned the principles and practices of proper handwashing with soap, which is referred as a "do-it-yourself vaccine" that prevents infections and saves lives.

"Handwashing is a life-saving measure that should be part of our everyday lives," said Eunice Ricaforte, Laguna Water's Sustainable Development Manager. She emphasized that handwashing helps achieve continued development and increase productivity, not only of an individual but of the entire community.

Part of the celebration was an actual handwashing led by Eunice Ricaforte; Carla Kim of Manila Water Foundation; Dr. Rene Bagamasmad from the Provincial Government of Laguna; Ms. Josefina Arcillas and Mr. Jed Lagman of the City Government of Santa Rosa; and Dr. Alain Cabodil of the Department of Education- Santa Rosa Division.

Celebrated around the world every October 15, GHD encourages millions of people to wash their hands with soap at critical times. In 2016, more than 213 million people around the world rallied around the theme “Make Handwashing a Habit”.

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