The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, the local governments of Cagayan de Oro and Tagbilaran City, and other non-government organization, will install handwashing facilities in the localities to promote proper hygiene practices amidst the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. 

Coinciding with the celebration of the October 15 Global Handwashing Day, the partnership will install handwashing stations in public areas such as barangay health centers, public markets, transportation terminals, ports, and parks in Cagayan de Oro City and Tagbilaran City.

“As we pool our knowledge, resources, and ingenuity to respond to the evolving challenges that COVID-19 presents, we are reminded that handwashing is among the simplest and most effective ways to protect ourselves and our communities,” said USAID Philippines Mission Director Lawrence Hardy II.

Hardy emphasized that the success of handwashing initiatives relies upon the inherent strength of partnerships between the public, private sectors, and local developmental partners.”

The joint initiative also includes education campaigns for marketgoers, vendors, commuters, and patients in health centers. 

USAID provided the concept designs of the handwashing facilities, which feature a foot-pedal function to reduce the risk of cross-contamination from multiple users.  

The Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines will fund the installations in the two cities through its partners Balay Mindanaw Foundation in Cagayan de Oro and Bohol Integrated Development Initiative in Tagbilaran.

So far, the U.S. government has provided more than Php 1 billion to support the Philippine government and Filipino people’s fight against the pandemic.