The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) on Saturday, Nov. 19, said that it is joining the international observation of World Toilet Day 2022 with the campaign, "Making the Invisible Visible."
This year's theme, "Sanitation and Groundwater," focuses on the impact of insufficient sanitation systems on underground water resources, PRC said.
The organization noted that based on the 2020 Annual Poverty Indicators Survey of the Philippines Statistics Authority, 20 percent of Filipino families have inadequate toilet facilities.
With that, PRC reiterated that it has been continuously providing sanitation facilities in various areas, especially in vulnerable communities.
"This year, PRC provided hygiene promotion activities to 166, 430 individuals across the country. PRC chapters and RC143 volunteers facilitate information dissemination on the importance of practicing personal hygiene, proper food handling, and proper toilet use and maintenance," PRC said.
The organization added that it is committed to promoting the importance of proper hygiene and sanitation to also prevent the spread of sanitation-related diseases like cholera and diarrhea.
"PRC strongly believes that sanitation facilities should always promote respect and dignity of everyone, especially the most vulnerable," PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard Gordon said.
The United Nations (UN) officially designated Nov. 19 of each year as the worldwide observance of World Toilet Day.
Since 2013, the UN and various organizations across the globe work hand in hand to inspire action and create awareness about the sanitation crisis happening around the world.