About P77.8 billion per year is lost because of poor sanitation in the Philippines, revealed a non-government organization working with the United Nations Children’s Fund, and the departments of Health and Education on sanitation.
Citing a report on the economic impact of having no toilets, the Center for Health Solutions and Innovations Philippine Inc. stressed how poor sanitation can cause economic losses associated with the direct costs of treating sanitation-related illnesses and lost income through reduced productivity.
“A Filipino family spends approximately P1,000 a year for each family member who gets sick simply because they do not have a toilet,” said Dr. Carmina Aquino, head of CHSI.
CHSI joined local partners in Borongan City, Eastern Samar in celebrating World Toilet Day on November. 19. The event aims to bring attention to the plight of over two-billion people worldwide who still live without a toilet today.
The Department of Education recently issued a memorandum encouraging schools to focus on the importance of sanitation. Schools held special events to celebrate the theme, “Toilets and Jobs.”
“This is the first-ever celebration of World Toilet Day in our school,” said Ma. Ivy Ravilas, school principal of Sabang Central Elementary School in Borongan City.
CHSI distributed copies of a storybook about the practice of open defecation. Written by award-winning author Dr. Luis Gatmaitan, the book is called “Ang Piyesta” (The Fiesta).
“This is a story of how household flies feed on our human waste as if it is also their fiesta,” said Gatmaitan.
“Elementary schools and day care centers are where children begin to dream about their futures,” Aquino added, as CHSI trains daycare workers to integrate hygiene messages in their daily lessons.
At the Maypangdan Day Care Center, child development worker Santiago Baldago prodded his students to think about their dream jobs. He then used Gatmaitan’s book to tell a story about how not having a toilet can stop children from reaching their dreams.
“Without a toilet, a child may be too sick to even dream about becoming a doctor, a police officer or teacher,” Baldago shared.
Mayor Maria Fe Abunda committed to make Borongan the first city ever to be declared as Zero Open Defecation City. This means that all 61 barangays will have universal access to improved sanitation.
“Health, nutrition and sanitation are programs dear to me,” shared Abunda, who is a registered nurse. About 1,500 more households in Borongan still have no toilets.
“Out of 61 barangays, 24 villages will receive our attention in the next year,” city sanitary inspector Gloria Aboy said.