| 20 January 2012
MANILA, Philippines — Ten provinces across the Philippines will adapt the flagship program of the Department of Education (DepEd) to improve health and hygiene practices of school children, according to UNICEF Philippines.
Early this week, UNICEF Philippines officials visited Northern Samar to promote the Essential Health Care Program (EHCP) which promotes handwashing, toothbrushing and deworming among pre-school and elementary pupils.
The EHCP reaches a milestone when 10 local governments begin adapting it using local resources.
The first Memorandum of Understanding will be signed by Northern Samar Governor Paul Daza and partners in Erenas, Victoria. Aurora, Tarlac, Camarines Norte, Guimaras, Antique, Cebu City, Davao City, Zamboanga del Sur and Sarangani will follow suit.The EHCP covers over 3,000 schools, and hopes to improve the learning capabilities of more than a million pupils.
UNICEF Philippines Water and Sanitation Chief Tim Grieve said the EHCP was supported by UNICEF and Procter and Gamble (P&G) during its pilot phase. It is coordinated and implemented through the local divisions of DepEd with technical assistance from the NGO Fit for School, Inc.
“We are happy at the success of this program and even more delighted that our local government partners have shown their commitment to their children,” Grieve said. “This program will not only teach children healthy habits but also make them an instrument in teaching these healthy habits when they come home after school.”
P&G External Relations Leader Clint Navales said the company is happy to see the EHCP institutionalized in Northern Samar. “Through this effort, P&G through Safeguard is able to fulfill our purpose of touching and improving more Filipino's lives,” Navales said.
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