Washing Stations

Since 2022, the RCM WASH Committee focused on assisting schools comply with the WASH in Schools Program of the Department of Education (DepEd). The Policy and Guidelines for the Comprehensive Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools (WinS) Program was issued by the DepED through DepEd Order 10, s. 2016. The DepEd acknowledges that lack of access to adequate water supply, insufficient toilet and proper handwashing facilities, and non-practice of hygiene behavior remain key contributors to hygiene and sanitation challenges. This led to the launching of the DepEd WinS Program.

WinS is truly a laudable school-based holistic program for personal health care and environmental sanitation through a set of standards for proper and correct health practices in schools. It seeks to promote correct hygiene and sanitation practices through hygiene and sanitation education and the provision of standards for safe water supply and appropriate sanitation facilities. Under the program, a school will be deemed compliant if it has a reliable water system that provides safe and sufficient water, especially for hand-washing and drinking; sufficient number of toilets for students and teachers that are private, safe, clean, and culturally and gender appropriate.

RCM can surely contribute and help selected schools in the National Capital Region comply with the requirements of the WinS Program, by helping provide the needed washing stations.

Today, the WASH Committee is scheduled to turn-over handwashing stations in two elementary schools in Tondo, Manila --- Lakandula and Francisco Benitez. The handwashing station for Lakandula Elementary School is designed for kindergarten students, while the one constructed for F. Benitez Elementary School is intended for Grade 5 to 6 students.

The turn-over program will incorporate a mini-orientation on handwashing protocols as well as best oral hygiene practices. The latter component was made possible because of the proactive and initiative of the Oral Hygiene Committee Chairman John Cutter, who has partnered with the WASH Committee.

RCM is also joined in this worthy endeavor by the Rotaract Club of Manila and the Rotaract Club of DLSU. Hopefully, Manila Rotarians can join and witness the turn-over ceremonies in the two schools today, February 15, at 3:30 in the afternoon.