DOH Bicol promotes proper sanitation

The Department of Health Bicol Center for Health Development (DOH Bicol CHD) has promoted the proper sanitation and waste management.

The initiative was in line with the observance of World Toilet Day 2022.

In a message delivered during the celebration in Pilar, Sorsogon on November 11,, Undersecretary for Health Dr. Nestor F. Santiago Jr. emphasized the importance of observing World Toilet Day.

Santiago noted that poor sanitation remains to be a critical public health and environmental health problem.

“Hygiene and sanitation are paramount in our mission to interrupt the spread of diseases and to stop the deaths caused by ill environments, as there is a distinctive link between sanitation and good health,” he said in the Bicolano language.

A coastal cleanup, mangrove planting activity and Zumba exercise in Barangay Sapa in Pilar, Sorsogon commenced the observance of World Toilet Day 2022.

Different government agencies and organizations such as the Department of Education, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, Provincial DOH Office of Sorsogon, Local Government Unit of Pilar, Barangay Health Workers, Tau Gamma Phi, 4Ps, IPs, and youth organizations were present during the coastal said activites.

Also in attendance were Pilar Mayor Carolyn C. Sy-Reyes and visitors from the Department of Health Health Promotion Bureau.

The municipality of Pilar was selected as the venue for the World Toilet Day 2022 celebration as it was recognized as the most improved local government unit with Environmental Health Services in 2021.

Other municipalities were also commended for becoming Zero Open Defecation (ZOD) communities, including Donsol in Sorsogon, Ligao City in Albay, Milaor and San Fernando in Camarines Sur and Milagros in Masbate.