MARAWI CITY: As part of proactive measures to fight the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the Bangsamoro government, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), is set to put up more than 100 handwashing facilities in the region, state media Philippine News Agency reported on Saturday.

The project was launched on Friday with the installation of 20 units inside the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) compound here in Cotabato City.

During the project launch, BARMM interior minister Naguib Sinarimbo, together with Unicef-Mindanao chief Andrew Morris, also demonstrated proper handwashing techniques.

Sinarimbo, who also heads BARMM’s Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READi), said the Unicef’s provision of mobile handwashing facilities promotes the importance of handwashing etiquette, especially in this time of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

The BARMM and Unicef will also put up mobile hand washing stations in checkpoints, hospitals, and schools across the region, starting in Maguindanao province.

“As we ease restrictions and move towards the general quarantine for the region, we should be watchful for entries from areas that have higher cases towards the region,” Sinarimbo said.

Meanwhile, Morris said the Unicef looks forward to providing support to whatever the BARMM needs to effectively implement recovery and anti- Covid-19 programs.

“It’s very important to keep the effort going, not to lose focus, and to make decisions based on data,” he said.

BARMM covers the provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, and Lanao del Sur; the cities of Lamitan, Marawi, and Cotabato; and 63 villages in six towns of North Cotabato.

With Albashir Saiden/PNA/RSP