SOME 150 Grade 6 students of San Fernando Elementary School (SFES) participated in the handwashing activity organized by the Department of Health-Central Luzon Center for Health Development (DOH-CLCHD) in collaboration with the City Health Office (CHO) on Tuesday, October 15.
The activity, spearheaded by DOH-Health Education and Promotion Office (Hepo) III Theresa Marie Bondoc, was in celebration of the annual Global Handwashing day.
Themed "Clean Hands for All," the advocacy aimed to "increase awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives."
Vice Mayor Jimmy Lazatin graced the event by showing support to DOH's advocacy and encouraging all students to observe proper hygiene and sanitation.
"Tandaan ninyo, kayo ang pag-asa ng bayan. Kayo ang magiging susunod na lider ng bansa. Kaya't napakahalaga na maging marunong kayo sa kalinisan," said Lazatin.
(Remember, you are the hope of the nation. You will be the next in line of leaders. That is why it is important for you to know about cleanliness.)
Dr. Renely P. Tungol, Communicable Disease Program coordinator, was able present during the event and gave a lecture on the importance of handwashing in preventing communicable diseases.
"Hindi kailangan nang mamahaling pagkain. Hindi kailangan nang mamahaling kagamitan. Kundi, simpleng handwashing lamang po upang maiwasan ang iba't-ibang uri ng sakit," Tungol said.
(It does not require expensive food or expensive things. It simply requires handwashing to avoid different kinds of disease.)
For his part, SFES principal Ariel D. Garcia expressed his gratitude to the organizers for choosing the school for the second time to host the activity, reiterating its slogan: "SFES. The first and the best."
Meanwhile, the participating students received personal hygiene kits from DOH.
Each kit contained soap, rubbing alcohol, towel, toothbrush and toothpaste, and hair brush. (PR)