Marikina City Mayor Maan Teodoro on Wednesday, Oct. 15, reminded the public, especially children, of the importance of handwashing and self-care to help prevent the spread of diseases amid the rising cases of influenza-like illnesses in the country.

During a handwashing activity at Marikina Elementary School in celebration of this year’s Global Handwashing Day, Teodoro emphasized that self-care is a form of self-discipline.

“So part of self-care is our physical well-being. Under physical well-being are good hygiene, eating right, sleeping a regular eight hours, and engaging in physical activities. So this is really good for our children,” she said.

“To take care of ourselves, we need to be clean in our bodies so that we can avoid diseases, especially now, this is the season for different illnesses and diseases,” she added.

She also reminded them that they should always remember that washing their hands before every meal or any activity is very important, so they can avoid getting sick.

While the city has not experienced any outbreak, Teodoro said that preventive measures remain a top priority.

“Although here in Marikina, we don't experience any outbreak, we want to prevent the spread of common diseases during the ber months. That is why in the past two days of our health break, the city and the schools really disinfected all the schools here in Marikina,” she explained.

Meanwhile, Teodoro thanked Safeguard, Manila Water, and the Philippine Red Cross for their support in promoting hygiene awareness and teaching students the importance of proper handwashing.

Philippine Association of Medical Technologists (PAMET) President Luella Vertucio also reminded children to practice good hygiene daily to protect themselves and their communities.

“You know that germs are always around us. They are everywhere—in the hallways, in the corridors, in the classrooms, in the houses, in the cell phones, in the toys, and in everything else, even in our hands and in our surroundings. We can't see them with our own eyes, pero nandiyan ang germs at puwedeng lumipat at dumami kapag hindi natin nalilinis,” Vertucio told students.

A newly constructed 10-faucet handwashing facility was also inaugurated during the event. The Philippine Red Cross said it is a lasting investment in children's health and hygiene.