TRASH TO TREASURE. Improvised handwashing facilities made from used and unserviceable tires for schools in Maasin City. The Philippine Red Cross Southern Leyte Chapter on Tuesday (June 23, 2020) said they already distributed 103 improvised handwashing facilities to different offices, schools and other establishments in the province as part of its initiatives against coronavirus. (Photo courtesy of Jonas Maco)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Southern Leyte chapter has been making improvised handwashing facilities out of used tires and empty drums as part of its initiatives to fight the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
In an interview on Tuesday, PRC chapter administrator Jonas Maco, said they have already made 103 of the facilities and already distributed to different local government units, schools, churches, and other establishments in the province.
Maco said the initiative dubbed the "Clean Hands Save Lives" project started in mid-March and more offices and establishments are expected to benefit from the program.
“This is a continuous project and we are making more to help the community, as long as we have donors. This is a unique project and could be for long-term use,” he added.
Apart from this, the humanitarian organization has also been providing hot meals to front-liners in the province.
PRC has also launched a skills training program “Red Cross 143 Covid-19 Skills Camp,” for locally stranded individuals who return to Maasin, the provincial capital.
This aims to provide returnees an opportunity to learn emergency first-aid and basic life support skills while on 14-day isolation at their 30-bed quarantine center in Danao forest park, Maco said.
"During the 14-day quarantine period, these returnees have the chance to be productive. We will conduct skills training programs and offer other activities, such as spiritual retreat, psychosocial support, orientations on the new normal, fire safety, food security, among others,” he added.
Maco said the initiative launched by PRC Southern Leyte in partnership with the American Red Cross, Maasin City government, the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and other national government agencies.
“We thanked all our donors, those who pledged to give cash or in-kind donations for our Covid-19 initiatives,” Maco said.
Since the coronavirus outbreak in the country, Southern Leyte has confirmed a total of 36 cases, all active, according to the Department of Health.
These include 15 in Ligabon town, eight in Tomas Oppus, six in Bontoc, three in Padre Burgos, and one each in Malitbog, Macrohon, Hinunangan and Maasin City. (PNA)
