October 15, 2024 – The Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD), in partnership with Universidad de Zamboanga (UZ) and the Department of Health, Regional Office IX, held the “Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene: Hands to Health Orientation Seminar” in observance of Global Handwashing Day. The event, which carried the theme “Why Are Clean Hands Still Important?”, was conducted at the Rosa Function Hall in the UZ Laboratories Building.
Participants were introduced to key aspects of water management, with Forestry Assistant B. Jonas Rafael S. Galeos of the Environment and Water Resources Department under the Technical Services Group discussing the Watershed, Quality Control/Assurance Officer Allan Mark R. Ong of the Production Department under the Operations Group covering Water Treatment, and Officer-In-Charge of the Community Relations and External Affairs Section Raul Ruben R. Rivera, Jr. speaking on Water Demand Management. The seminar also featured an engaging presentation by Jennifer L. Malayo, a Health Program Officer from the Department of Health, who emphasized regulated handwashing measures and the importance of both individual and organizational hygiene practices.
The seminar concluded with a reaffirmation of the importance of maintaining clean hands to prevent the spread of disease, especially in the wake of global health challenges. The collaborative effort highlighted the continued relevance of proper hygiene and water management in ensuring public health and safety.