DOH stresses need for toilet in every Filipino household
Published Nov 19, 2019 12:00 am
By Analou De Vera
The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday said that Filipino households should prioritize building toilet facilities as the practice of open defecation poses health risks.
"Many Filipinos can buy their cellphones but their households do not have proper toilet facilities. Maybe you can also prioritize the dignity of your family," said Health Undersecretary Gerardo Bayugo during the observance of the World Toilet Day in Baseco Compound in Port Area, Manila.
(PIXABAY / MANILA BULLETIN)
"Having a toilet is actually not a luxury. It is a requirement for the health and safety of your family," he added.
Bayugo said that the practice of open defecation is connected to different diseases, such as diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, and polio; as well as poor health conditions such as stunting and malnutrition.
Moreover, the DOH said that the act of defecating in open spaces such as in fields and bodies of water, "also put children and women at risk of sexual harassment and abuse."
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Deputy Representative Julia Rees echoed the importance of the use of toilets.
"Always use toilets to prevent the existence of flies to be healthy and safe from the dangers of open defecation. also advocate the practice of handwashing with soap before eating after using the toilet to prevent eating your excrement," said Reese.
"We are challenging all local government units to prioritize sanitation in its effect to health, nutrition, education, and security of Filipino children. It's time for the Philippines to focus on addressing the sanitation needs of people in urban slums, in remote and geographically isolated areas, and in indigenous communities," she added.
Meanwhile, the health department has issued two policies to improve sanitation: Implementation Guidelines on the Philippine Approach to Sustainable Sanitation (PhATSS); and the National Standards on the Design, Construction, Operation, and Maintenance of Septic Tank Systems.
The DOH said that the policies will guide the local government units "on how to track the sanitation situation of each community and take supportive action to ensure that no one is left behind without access to a sanitary toilet."
Meanwhile, Senator Cynthia Villar urged the DOH to hasten the construction of toilets and septic tanks, particularly in Metro Manila.
“As of 2015, about seven million Filipinos ay wala pang toilet; and 3 ½ million of them are in Metro Manila,” said Villar. The senator added that 5,000 toilets need to be constructed in Baseco Compound alone.
“I had expressed my frustration recently during the budget hearing over the delay on the construction of toilets here in Baseco. Since we started the toilet project three years ago, we had only managed to build 350 toilets of the targeted 5,000 toilets,” said Villar.
“DOH Secretary Duque has given as assurance that the construction will be hastened, so we will take his words on that because every day counts. We all know health hazards, among others, that poor sanitation and lack of toilet facilities bring to individual, families, and entire communities,” she added.
(PIXABAY / MANILA BULLETIN)
"Having a toilet is actually not a luxury. It is a requirement for the health and safety of your family," he added.
Bayugo said that the practice of open defecation is connected to different diseases, such as diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, and polio; as well as poor health conditions such as stunting and malnutrition.
Moreover, the DOH said that the act of defecating in open spaces such as in fields and bodies of water, "also put children and women at risk of sexual harassment and abuse."
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Deputy Representative Julia Rees echoed the importance of the use of toilets.
"Always use toilets to prevent the existence of flies to be healthy and safe from the dangers of open defecation. also advocate the practice of handwashing with soap before eating after using the toilet to prevent eating your excrement," said Reese.
"We are challenging all local government units to prioritize sanitation in its effect to health, nutrition, education, and security of Filipino children. It's time for the Philippines to focus on addressing the sanitation needs of people in urban slums, in remote and geographically isolated areas, and in indigenous communities," she added.
Meanwhile, the health department has issued two policies to improve sanitation: Implementation Guidelines on the Philippine Approach to Sustainable Sanitation (PhATSS); and the National Standards on the Design, Construction, Operation, and Maintenance of Septic Tank Systems.
The DOH said that the policies will guide the local government units "on how to track the sanitation situation of each community and take supportive action to ensure that no one is left behind without access to a sanitary toilet."
Meanwhile, Senator Cynthia Villar urged the DOH to hasten the construction of toilets and septic tanks, particularly in Metro Manila.
“As of 2015, about seven million Filipinos ay wala pang toilet; and 3 ½ million of them are in Metro Manila,” said Villar. The senator added that 5,000 toilets need to be constructed in Baseco Compound alone.
“I had expressed my frustration recently during the budget hearing over the delay on the construction of toilets here in Baseco. Since we started the toilet project three years ago, we had only managed to build 350 toilets of the targeted 5,000 toilets,” said Villar.
“DOH Secretary Duque has given as assurance that the construction will be hastened, so we will take his words on that because every day counts. We all know health hazards, among others, that poor sanitation and lack of toilet facilities bring to individual, families, and entire communities,” she added.