Manila’s public schools, the Manila Water Foundation, and Erceflora Probiotics joined forces to launch the “Hygiene and Gut Health Talk.” The program equips teachers and health officers with tools and knowledge to promote hygiene and wellness inside and outside the classroom.
“A child’s health is directly tied to their academic performance,” said Ramilo Pascual, School Head at Senate President Neptali A Gonzales Integrated School. “If a student is unwell, whether due to malnutrition or poor gut health, it affects their focus, attendance, and ability to learn.”
“At Erceflora, we believe that gut health is essential to overall wellbeing. For children, a healthy gut helps them feel their best every day, so they can stay active, focused, and ready to learn and thrive in school,” said Rica Mateo, Erceflora ASEA Zone Brand Lead. “By supporting programs that combine education, hygiene, and access to practical solutions, we hope to empower more schools and communities to put student wellness first.”
To help address this, schools are receiving probiotic donations—giving school health professionals a quick way to respond to digestive complaints, while also equipping teachers and staff with gut health education they can pass on to students and parents.
To make the biggest impact, Manila Water Foundation and its partners are focusing efforts on public schools and school divisions that need the most support. With handwashing stations, drinking fountains, and improved hygiene facilities now in place, Erceflora takes the initiative one step further—helping students stay well enough to be consistently present and ready to learn.
“When schools have access to safe water, proper sanitation, and probiotics, everyone on campus benefits—students, teachers, and the whole school community,” said Nix Hipolito, Program Education Section Head at Manila Water Foundation.
“Probiotics like Erceflora can play a meaningful role in supporting student health, especially when combined with proper hygiene and access to clean water,” Mateo concluded. “It’s a simple, practical way to help keep students healthy and in school, even with limited resources.”
This joint effort proves that gut health isn’t just a wellness issue—it’s an education issue. When students feel better, they learn better. With clean handwashing stations, health talks, and access to practical tools like trusted probiotics, students are empowered to take charge of their well-being, so each one can become healthier, more focused, and more productive in school and beyond.
