Clean Little Hands
When something so simple isn’t quite that simple
Words by MARGA CONSTANTINO
While the World Health Organization puts hand washing with soap and running water as one of the most effective yet simplest ways to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, some communities have limited access to hand-washing areas.
Manila Water worked with local government officials to dispatch and erect water static tanks in these barangays.
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A frontliner washes his hands from the static water tank installed in the covered court of Barangay La Paz, Makati. This community center had only one small bathroom, which had made it difficult for the workers to regularly wash their hands. The tank holds enough water for 400 people.
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Jean Labon-Aurelio, Manila Water’s Area Business Manager for Mandaluyong and Makati, was in charge of responding to the requests of local government units, and deploying the teams. Twenty-nine static tanks were installed at the East Concession Area during the lockdown, and 112 barangays with low-income households (including Bgy. La Paz) were given “lifeline” rates.
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Water—and kindness—flows. Social welfare workers sit in Bgy. La Paz’s covered court and carefully examine tomatoes and other vegetables before including them in COVID-19 food relief packs. To help residents cope with the Enhanced Community Quarantine, Makati’s local government unit enlisted 90 social welfare workers to sort through vegetables and measure rice for repacking. With clean hands, they safely prepared more than 81,000 food packs in just one month to help keep Makati families safe from hunger and sickness. #
PUBLISHED July 31, 2020READ NEXT
