A barangay in the municipality of Magpet, Province of Cotabato was placed in the Zero Open Defecation (ZOD) status after being verified by the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) on January 31, 2023.
The IPHO team led by supervising sanitation Inspector Emelinda T. Diesto and the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the said municipality surveyed every household of Brgy. Temporan to ensure that residents have toilets that conformed to the guidelines of the Department of Health (DOH).
The said barangay is expected to receive 20 pieces of toilet bowls and a P25,000 incentive from the Town of Magpet.
Brgy. Captain Rose O. Legaria thanked for the support of the provincial government and the local government of the town of Magpet in achieving the ZOD status.
She also thanked the barangay officials, BHWs, and others for their efforts in inspecting the assigned sites to ensure that all households have clean toilets. She also expressed admiration for the residents for their cooperation and adherence to the set rules to achieve ZOD status.
The program is part of the goal of DOH in ending open defecation practices in the communities.
Health and sanitation are part of the key programs of Governor Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza.
Mendoza emphasized that when people defecate in the open, in fields and waterways, the children will more likely get diarrhea, worm infections, and be undernourished.
“To reduce illness, it is important for us to raise awareness and promote hygienic and safe practices specially in the communities,” she said.
The verification will also be done in other barangays.
