Manila Water launches water asset installation, rehab program for public schools
In line with the opening of classes in public schools next week, Manila Water, with its social development arm Manila Water Foundation, launched the Water Asset Installation and Rehabilitation project for learning institutions under MWF’s Lingap Eskwela program.
The Water Asset Installation and Rehabilitation project aims to help students achieve good health and overall wellness for quality education through strengthening access to water supply and sanitation facilities in learning institutions and enabling change through sustainable water access, sanitation, and hygiene or WASH.
In Tandang Sora Elementary School in Quezon City, Manila Water President and CEO Jocot De Dios led the inauguration of the project with Quezon City 6th District Representative Maria Victoria Co-Pilar, Department of Education-Quezon City Public Schools District Supervisor Leo Angeles, Manila Water East Zone Business Operations Group Director Shoebe Caong and MWF Executive Director Reginald Andal.
Also present are teachers, non-teaching staff, and learners of the said school who will benefit from the improved water access on campus.
“We are thankful to Manila Water for addressing a vital need of our students which is essential in the provision of quality education. Water and sanitation are very important in promoting an environment that encourages learning and productivity and maintaining a clean and healthy atmosphere that would keep students and employees of learning institutions healthy and fit,” said Rep. Co-Pilar.
“Manila Water has always been in full support of the Department of Education’s WASH in Schools (WINS) program and the Department of Health’s Healthy Pilipinas program. We firmly believe that one of the keys to develop a conducive learning environment for our youth is to provide them with safe and reliable water supply and sanitation services,” said De Dios.
Under the said project, technical WASH interventions such as installation and repair of booster pumps, provision of pressurized, overhead and ground tanks, and rehabilitation of water pipelines will be provided Manila Water’s East Zone Service Areas.
These are complemented with the conduct of hygiene education sessions for teachers and learners, and provision of info-education materials on water conservation and hygiene by the Manila Water Foundation.
On its pilot, Manila Water installed overhead tanks, rehabilitated the campus water line, and repaired the booster pumps in the University of Rizal System in Cainta, Rizal; in Sta. Ana Elementary School in Taytay, Rizal; in Ricardo P. Cruz Sr. Elementary School in Taguig City; and in Buting Elementary School and Oranbo Elementary School, both in Pasig City.
For Tandang Sora Elementary School, Manila Water rehabilitated the school’s existing water tanks and booster pumps, and pipelaying of a separate distribution line, for the benefit of 3,609 students, teachers, and non-teaching staff.
Tandang Sora Elementary School also received a refrigerated drinking fountain (RDF) from Manila Water and MWF, under Project Drink 72 Project which aims to provide RDFs to 72 public schools in Quezon City to keep the school community hydrated and healthy.
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