A failed or malfunctioning septic system is a risk to human and animal health and can pollute the environment. Such failure causes untreated sewage to be released and transported to where it shouldn’t be. The sewage could also find its way into groundwater, surface water, or marine water without us ever seeing it. It also carries pathogens and other dangerous contaminants that can make people and animals sick. https://www.doh.wa.gov The area in here is the septic tank for our renowned Centralized Comfort Room. This is the side of the gym where the Vice Ganda and Jake Cyrus comfort rooms – specially intended for the LGBT learners are located. Long PVC pipes connect the comfort rooms to a septic tank found at the back of the gymn Photos on the left and lower left show the inside of the comfort room exclusive for girls situated in the left wing of the “L” building. The photo on the lower right is the septic tank for the said comfort rooms. The Senior High school Building with comfort rooms for boys and girls is attached to a functional septic tank Our learners now need not to go out of the DIHON Teen Center durinmg symposiums for a newly constructed comfort room is now ready to serve their needs. Extensive piping was installed in wash areas including the one we have in the school kitchen to avoid accumulation of standing water. Drainage system in the wash area located in the canteen Drainage system in the wash area located on the left side of the gym Drainage system in the wash area in the Senior High School building Drainage system in wash areas in the admin office and in the Girl’s CR Some pipings for drainage are buried underground and documentation is quite a challenge, but we assure you of their 100% being and value. Photos show wash areas in the centralized CR and in the Teen Center Washing area in female toilet at the Centralized CR Washing area inside the female toilet at DIHON Teen Center. Washing facility inside the female toilet in the ground floor of the L building washing area inside the Senior High School female toilet. # KALAT MO, responsibilida d mo! Scrap papers are collected to be used as wrapping materials for used napkins. Posters are also placed in each cubicle reminding our female learners to be responsible of their dregs. # KITANG- KITA, deposito na! We have two detached toilets in the campus; the Centralized CR and the CR for LGBT learners. These detached toilets are within view of the learners and they are all familiar with it. In fact, learners prefer to use these detached toilets more often than the ones located within the school buildings. We are very thankful for the presence of these two hardworking people who help us maintain the cleanliness of the comfort rooms. They are with us every schooldays and during special programs. Manong and Manang are paid from funds coming from the MOOE and from the aide of the PTA. # PWD, safe ka dito! We have a toilet made for students with special needs or limited mobility. This toilet is located in the Senior High building. It is provided with ramp, railings and is wide enough for a wheelchair to move freely inside the toilet. In the past years, the school had never experienced any floods because RGPSNHS sets on a hilly portion of Barangay San Matias. Its location gives an advantage against flooding during rainy seasons. The school has mechanisms to address stagnant water. For one, removing low spots in the campus by filling in stagnant water with gravel and sand. Drainage canals are covered, and used water from sinks is disposed properly. School authorities are very much aware that stagnant water is a good breeding ground for mosquitoes, which are known vectors for various serious diseases. The school has a clean and well ventilated school canteen managed by competent food handlers, who have health certificate from the DOH. The school has requested the LGU’s dump truck to collect the school’s refuse. It comes to the school twice a week to collect residual trash (Wednesday) and the recyclables (Friday) The school’s biodegradable waste goes to a compost pit, which later on be used as fertilizer in the school garden. The school built a refuse pit where non-biodegradable trash is stored. Burning of garbage in burn barrels, stoves and fire pits creates pollution that’s dangerous to human health and contaminates the air, water and soil. It’s also against the law. So what can the school do? Oftentimes, the reason why we burn garbage because it is not segregated properly. Here we built MRF, residual pit and compost pit. Moreover, we educate our learners about the negative consequences of burning and the laws we have about the said issue. Segregated trash bins in every Classrooms visual education material encourages & helps the learners segregate their trash properly. … in the toilets Exclusive trash bin for used napkins … in the library … in the clinic … in the gym … in the garden … along the road … in the canteen … in play areas Our Centralized CR has 11 toilet seats for boys, 11 toilet seats for girls and a total of 4 Bathrooms Our SHS building has 3 Toilets seats for boys, 1 toilet seat for girls and 1 toilet seat for learners with disability. Toilet access remains a contentious issue particularly among the LGBT community. For many LGBT, using a toilet means choosing between using a facility that matches the gender assigned to them at birth or their gender identity. The act of using a toilet could, therefore, carry risks of discrimination, harassment and even assault. http://outragemag.com/ The school has Jake Cyrus and Vice Ganda Comfort Rooms with 4 toilet seats for LGBT learners. The girls Cr in the “L” building has 6 toilet seats and 3 bathrooms. Rufino G. Palabrica Sr. National High School has 2 Shared/ Communal Cr, Located at the Clinic and STEP Office. Various researches show that student’s health is one determining factor for their success. Moreover, student’s health could be affected by different causes- one of which is the school environment. Maintaining clean and safe school environment is one of the biggest challenge every school has to face. Rufino G. Palabrica Sr. National High School is the second biggest high school in the municipality of Dingle. Every school year the school’s population increases and so is the demand for facilities to cater these students. Luckily here in Rufino, efforts from various stakeholders made it possible for us to meet these demands. Ratio of Toilet Seats for Male and Female of Rufino G. Palabrica Sr. National High School Toilet seats for male and female Shared/ Male Female Communal Functional Not Functional 16 0 22 0 2 0 Total Pupil Toilet Ratio 38 37 Material Recovery Facility (MRF) is where recyclable materials that are collected from households are sorted manually into different types (e.g. plastics, cardboard, paper, metal). It is important to have a MRF to sort mixed materials and to ensure that anything that is not recyclable is removed. A basic yet vital component in the school that can make or break the student’s experience is when the student has to use the Toilet. These toilets need to be clean, dry and hygienic, complete with various amenities, accessories and facilities, located conveniently, well maintained and equipped with a proper waste management system. Public Toilets should also provide safe and accessible facilities to the public at an adequate level of privacy to perform the necessary sanitary functions. These facilities should also cater to the needs of people of different cultural needs and genders, all age groups and people with disabilities. Extracted from: https://www.asean.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/ASEAN-Public-Toilet-Standard.pdf Here at Rufino G. Palabrica Sr. National High School, our facilities aim to give best comfort and security to its users. Doors with lock were provided to ensure the privacy of the users Interior lighting is provided at all times (during operating hours) when natural lighting is not available and is bright enough to illuminate entrances, exits, wash areas, cubicle & urinal spaces. Lighting is directed at discouraging vandalism and at spotting areas of concealment. External lighting is provided at all times (during operating hours) when natural light is not available and is bright enough to illuminate entrances, exits, walkways, paths. It also prevents fall accidents. Appropriate ventilation is one of highest requirement for a well-maintained, dry, odor-free, hygienic toilet. In the ASEAN region many countries experience tropical weather with high humidity levels. Humidity gives way to mould formation and this one to growing and release of harmful spores leading to undesired effects. Effective ventilation of the toilet premise should allow for recycled air to be dispelled quickly outdoors without causing nuisance to the neighboring premises. Ventilation can be either natural or mechanical or both. Extracted from: https://www.asean.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/ASEAN-Public-ToiletStandard.pdf natural ventilation is utilized through windows, doors, louvers, “pocketholes” or other openings to the outdoor. Appropriate disposal of used menstrual material is still lacking in many countries of the world. Most of the countries have developed techniques to manage their fecal and urinary wastes but, because of lack of menstrual management practices in the world, most of the women dispose of their sanitary pads or other menstrual articles into domestic solid wastes or garbage bins that ultimately become a part of solid wastes. In schools, due to lack of sanitary facilities, girls throw their pads in toilets. In some cases, girls threw away their used menstrual clothes without washing them. Also many were reported being absent from school due to lack of disposal system, broken lock/doors of toilets, lack of water tap, bucket, and poor water supply. In some schools, incinerators or “feminine hygiene bins” are used for disposing menstrual waste material but due to shyness or fear of being seen by others they refrained from using it. Menstrual hygiene should be promoted by implementing a course on menstruation and menstrual hygiene management. Teachers should be educated and trained to impart knowledge about menstruation and menstrual hygiene management among students. Social and electronic media also play an important role to make the girls and women aware about the latest menstrual products, different manufacturers, government policies, and so forth. Extracted from: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jeph/2018/1730964/ through introduction of visual education material encouraging the users to keep the toilet clean Infectious diseases continue to be a health challenge and economic burden within our communities. Though effective hand hygiene education is critical, there has been a steady decline in hygiene promotion, especially in the home. The impact of poor hand hygiene habits is linked to increased occurrences of illness, absences, and their associated costs. A renewed commitment to “shared responsibility” in our homes and classrooms may be one of our most important infection prevention strategies. https://info.debgroup.com/blog/hand-hygiene-at-home-and-school Unfortunately, most schools in developing countries do not have appropriate hand washing facilities to enhance this. Not all children know how to wash their hands correctly or the importance of washing their hands every time they visit the toilet. It is a common habit to walk in a latrine and leave without washing their hands. Good hand washing helps in defense against the spread of many illnesses, from the common cold to more serious illnesses such as meningitis, bronchiolitis, influenza, hepatitis A, and diarrhea. https://onepercentclub.com/en/projects/washmyhands/plan Cleanliness refer generally to the fact that all elements in the WINS facilities (including the toilets and wash areas) should be kept clean and dry at all times and that there should be no hidden dirty areas. Daily/periodic/specialized type and sequence of cleaning was implemented to allow for regular sanitization of the facilities. Daily cleaning: is divided into spot cleaning and thorough cleaning; done by hired/paid personnel. Periodic cleaning: is performed on a fixed schedule to target cleaning of accumulated stains and hard-to-reach areas (i.e. water traps, ceilings or fans); usually done by students during do-days. Specialized cleaning: solves odour and stain problems, which cannot be removed by daily/periodic cleaning (carried out once a month on average). The functional student to toilet seat ratio (by gender) is 50 or less Toilets are secure, private, with door and lock, have lighting, adequate ventilation and wrapping materials for used pads There is a handwashing facility with soap within or near the toilets There is a facility for washing in female toilets for MHM Detached toilets are located within view of school building and people There is a toilet accessible to person with limited mobility Daily cleaning of toilets, and handwashing and other water facilities Funding for regular maintenance and repair of toilets, handwashing and other water facilities comes from the regular school budget (i.e. MOOE) and/or other DepEd funds No burning of waste Segregated trash bins with cover are available in all classrooms, toilets, canteens, offices, clinics, play areas, gardens, hallways, and gyms Comprehensive waste segregation system is in place, such as policy, facility and practice, and sanctions for noncompliance Garbage is collected at least twice a week OR a school has a compost facility for biodegradable waste and material recovery facility (MRF) for recyclable waste Functional septic tank is available for all toilets Functional drainage from kitchen and wash areas to ensure that there is no stagnant water in the school In case the school is in flood prone area, a system (policy, practices, people, process, & structure) is in place to ensure that there is no stagnant water in the school All food handlers should have a health certificate and for schools with canteen, an updated sanitary permit
