DepEd funds not wasted on hand washing facilities

The media recently reported that the Commission on Audit found 84% of hand washing facilities in Misamis Oriental’s 365 schools non-functional. These facilities, according to COA, were funded under the Basic Educational Facilities Fund in 2012 and cost P45,000-50,000 each, or a total of P17,140,887.25.

The province of Misamis Oriental like Cagayan de Oro City and the province of Bukidnon are pioneers in making the Essential Health Care Program (EHCP) - school-based hand washing with soap and tooth brushing with fluoride toothpaste - a daily drill in public schools. Proper implementation will improve the health and wellbeing of the entire school population. The Parent-Teacher Associations, civic organizations and other private groups and individuals have supported this approach and have sponsored hundreds of hand washing facilities. LGUs, congressmen and even the teachers themselves have been providing soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste. It was only in 2009 that the national government took cognizance of EHCP, in particular its role in preventing H1N1 and other infectious diseases, and ordered every school to have a group hand washing facility constructed. A design was provided and this is the P45,000-50,000 facility.