The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Manila Water Foundation (MWF), in collaboration with Manila Water Philippine Ventures subsidiaries Cebu Water and Tagum Water, together with Tagum Water District, Metro Cebu Water District, and Better with Water, continues to champion its mission of expanding access to water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), and promoting environmental sustainability in Cebu Province and Davao del Norte.
In Cebu, MWF and Cebu Water led the handover of Refrigerated Drinking Fountains (RDFs) in the Municipality of Carmen and Cebu City.
This collaborative effort under MWF’s Lingap program aims to enhance access to clean drinking water, reduce plastic waste, and support local solid waste management programs.
As part of Carmen’s 174th Fiesta Celebration, six RDF units were officially turned over to the municipality. These units will be strategically installed in high-traffic public areas such as the Municipal Hall compound, gymnasium, public market, and the Bureau of Fire Protection Headquarters.
In Cebu City, five RDF units were handed over to Mayor Nestor Archival, Jr., and one (1) unit to Metro Cebu Water District General Manager Edgar Denoso.
These will be placed at the Cebu City Municipal Building and the Metro Cebu Water District office, respectively. Through this initiative, MWF promotes the use of reusable water tumblers and contributes to flood risk reduction by supporting improved waste management practices.
MWF also led WASH Paaralan and WASH Pamayanan hygiene education sessions in Cebu City to heighten awareness on water access, sanitation and hygiene or WASH. At Inayawan Elementary School, student leaders were reminded of the 7 Steps to Proper Toothbrushing, the 7 Steps to Proper Handwashing and participated in a Solid Waste Management session led by Better with Water, which emphasized the 4Rs: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
The school also received one RDF unit and 300 hygiene kits, along with essential WASH assets such as dippers, buckets and water containers.
In Barangay Inayawan, community members joined a WASH Pamayanan session focused on hygiene practices to prevent communicable diseases. A total of 150 hygiene kits and WASH assets were distributed to residents, reinforcing the importance of sanitation in everyday life.
In celebration of Tagum Water’s 5th anniversary, MWF conducted a series of Lunas WASH Paaralan and WASH Pamayanan sessions in Tagum City, Davao del Norte. These initiatives aim to empower learners and community members with reminders on hygiene for health.
During the WASH Paaralan at Col. Rosalio C. Saludares Elementary School, 200 students received hygiene kits to promote proper handwashing and toothbrushing habits. Additionally, Babanganan Elementary School received 100 hygiene kits for its learners. To further support menstrual health management, MWF donated sanitary pads to both schools, along with WASH assets such as water containers, pails, and dippers for use in school washrooms.
Meanwhile, in Barangay Magdum, a WASH Pamayanan session brought together teachers and parents from Early Childhood Care and Development Centers. The session emphasized the importance of oral health and handwashing in early childhood development. Over 100 hygiene kits and WASH assets were distributed to support Day Care and Health Centers in the barangay.
These efforts reflect the shared commitment of Manila Water Foundation, Tagum Water, and Cebu Water to make clean water, proper hygiene, and sustainable living accessible to more Filipinos, especially in underserved communities.
Local leaders from the DepEd Schools Division Offices of Tagum City and Cebu City, partner schools, and barangay officials from Barangay Inayawan in Cebu City and Barangay Magdum in Tagum City expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Manila Water Foundation and its partners for their continued support in improving community health and well-being.