Senator Cynthia A. Villar joined yesterday numerous government agencies in addressing hygiene and sanitary problems in the Baseco compound in Manila by launching of a “Toilet Bowls Project’’ for Baseco residents.
During her visit, Villar also spearheaded a clean-up drive and mangrove planting in nearby esteros abutting Manila Bay.
As chairwoman of the Senate social justice, welfare and rural development committee, Villar, likewise, sought to boost income generation among the residents during the introduction of the Coconet Weaving Livelihood project and composting facility.
The livelihood project aims to guide the residents how to make income out of coconet weaving and to have free organic fertilizer for their urban gardening.
The two projects were launched in Gasangan Street in Baseco, Bgy. 649 in Manila.
Villar linked up with the Department of Health (DoH), among other agencies, to teach an estimated 500 residents the value of proper hygiene and to encourage them to construct clean and safe sanitation facilities.
She stressed residents should stop their practice of defecating in open or public places, which, she pointed out, has been the primary cause of serious health and sanitation problems in the area.
“The root cause of diseases is a dirty environment. And if residents are openly defecating anywhere, all kinds of illnesses could affect all of them, especially the children. I am confident that if the families are given toilet bowls, then this gross practice of open defecation will stop, “Villar said. (Mario B. Casayuran)