Metro Dumaguete Water, a joint venture company between Dumaguete City Water district and Metro Pacific Water, turned over a 10-faucet handwashing facility to the Dumaguete City National High School (DCNHS) Wednesday, February 1, as part of the Hugas Luwas Eskwelahan Program.

Hugas Luwas Dumaguete is a community handwashing program in partnership with the City Government of Dumaguete, which aims to support the fight against COVID-19 by promoting proper routine handwashing and sanitation and providing further access to clean water.

With the goal of the national government to fully bring back face-to-face classes in schools, MDW kicked off Hugas Luwas Eskwelahan, focused on equipping schools with the facilities adapting to the new normal. DCNHS Principal Dr. Alden Rabina thanked MDW for their continued support to the schools in Dumaguete citing its programs as creating a good and safe environment for the students.

“Right from the start, MDW initiated and reached out to us for any support DCNHS needed, and it’s these discussions that made this dream into reality,” said Rabina.

MDW Chief Operating Officer David Berba shared how the handwashing facility of DCNHS is just the beginning.

“More schools will be supported and more programs will be implemented as MDW is one with the government in this goal to bring back the students to schools,” Berba added.

Mr. Jose Miraflor, representing the Department of Education – Division of Dumaguete, closed the ceremony by acknowledging MDW’s initiatives not just to support schools but its impact on the city’s water services.

Miraflor admitted to be a critic when MDW first commenced but has shared how his mind was changed after experiencing first-hand the increase in pressure in his residence along with all the other improvements in services.

“We hope to forge a stronger partnership with MDW and look forward to more development of our water services in Dumaguete,” said Miraflor.

The turnover of the handwashing facility was one of the highlights of MDW’s celebration of its 2nd Anniversary, which coincided on the same day.