In Lapu-Lapu City: Grade 1 pupils mark “World Water Day”

CEBU, Philippines - The proper way of washing hands highlighted yesterday’s celebration of World Water Day at the Ibo Elementary School in Lapu-Lapu City.

Grade one pupils Leah Wenceslao, Kim Hubahib, and Marlu Jay Nudalo were among those who enjoyed the tricks performed by a clown who also showed the children how to wash hands properly.

The activity was spearheaded by the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) in partnership with Lapu-Lapu city government and the Department of Education (DepEd).

“I will teach my younger siblings what I learned today,” Wenceslao told The Freeman.

“I will also teach my friends,” Hubahib said.

“Our hands will now be clean because we know how to wash them properly,” Nudalo said.

Their teacher was also grateful for the activity.

“The pupils will surely remember the proper way of washing hands because it was presented in a very fun way. Apart from our constant reminders, the kids

will retain the information more,” Grade 1 teacher Imelda Ladrera told The Freeman.

She added that to maintain cleanliness with pupils, teachers inspect the children’s hands and nails.

DepEd North District Supervisor Dr. Rican Montejo emphasized that hand washing activities are part of the government’s program to keep the children in school.

“Children often miss coming to school because they get sick. Now by strengthening their immune system, they get to maximize learning which translates to good academic performance,” Montejo said.

Meanwhile, a Water Warriors Pact was signed by stakeholders at the MCWD Social Hall with representatives from Alliance of Government Workers in the Water Sector, MCWD Employees Union, Freedom from Debt Coalition, Consumer’s Rights for Economic Welfare, Inc. (CREW), University of San Carlos Water Resources Center Foundation, Inc. among others.

Those who signed signified their commitment to “exert more effort to actively participate in any or all activities, engagements, and movements pertaining to the development and management of earth’s water resources.” (FREEMAN)