RP to launch international year of sanitation Philippine Daily Inquirer
February 15, 2008
MANILA, Philippines -- The country will launch the International Year of Sanitation on Monday to coincide with the release of the recent study funded by the World Bank and the Water and Sanitation Program and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The United Nations General Assembly designated 2008 as the International Year of Sanitation (IYS) to promote improved hygiene practices and recommend actions in providing proper sanitation for the 2.6 billion people who lack access to this basic human right.
The Department of Health (DoH), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other national government agencies, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), business groups and international organizations, are spearheading a series of advocacy activities for implementation this year.
The launch will be in Mandaluyong City.
Resource persons will deliver speeches and there will be exhibits at the Mandaluyong City Hall, followed by a caravan to a nearby public school where a ceremonial hand washing by very important persons, soap-making demonstrations, and presentation of Captain WASH, the mascot to promote water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) among the school children.
The theme of the event is “Sanitasyon ang Solusyon (Sanitation is the Solution).” Guest speakers are Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos Jr., Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, UNICEF Deputy Representative Colin Davis, United Nations Resident Coordinator Nileema Noble and Miss Earth Philippines Jeanne Harn.
Representative Belma Cabilao, chair of the House ecology committee, will also grace the event. She has been a sanitation advocate after her attendance in the East Asia Ministerial Conference on Sanitation and Hygiene (EASAN) late last year in Beppu, Japan year where she spearheaded the development of an action agenda for the Philippines.
