By Althea B. Pontaoy

A creative photo collage for Brgy. Bito-on by Venise Justine Earl Bartolome.

Last March 16, the Third Year Social Work Students of Central Philippine University together with Prof. Sarex Dalida Dipol, Jr., Acting Director of Community Engagement and Service Learning Center (CESLC-CPU) ; and Dr. Regina E. Samillano, Science Education Coordinator of College of Education, conducted an outreach activity in the New Site Gymnasium located in Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City. The activity aimed to teach the importance of proper hygiene and sanitation practices to children. Sanitation and hygiene are the most basic human needs for health and well-being, with this the outreach was done to primarily meet the Sustainable Development Goals of SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being and SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation.

The Matinlo Nga Pag Ginawi discussed the significance of proper hygiene awareness, demonstrated proper handwashing, and provided hygiene kits to children. The group of students assigned to the urban-coastal area headed the outreach activity– Althea Pontaoy led the event, while Jeff Pulmones discussed the advantages of observing correct hygiene to a healthy body and Destine Dayne Panadero demonstrated the ways of washing hands properly along with, Genevieve Anado, Famela Grace Cachuela, Venise Justine Earl Bartolome, Marethel Bautista, Ester Angelie Grijaldo, Jean Mae Llanderos, Loreal Evette Paclibar, and Hannah Pearl Pagadal.

The activity became successful with the cooperation of the barangay officials headed by the Brgy. Captain Junalyn Provido and SK Chairperson Camille Tiffany Valencia. On behalf of the barangay, Ms. Bernadette, a health worker representative, welcomes the Centralians with more than 70 young children who actively participated in the activity, which brings enjoyment and learning to children.

The outreach was done by giving the children personal hygiene kits to ensure their health and promote a sustainable community. The hygiene education encourages significant and long-lasting changes in practicing cleanliness and good community hygiene to save the lives of young children. Everybody is deserving of a life where proper hygiene is prioritized and practiced.