Batang Matatag: Building a Stronger Partnership for a Stronger Future

The Batang Matatag Campaign, a collaborative initiative between Erceflora Probiotics and Save the Children Philippines, has announced an important partnership with the Manila Water Foundation to broaden its impact and increase access to clean water and hygiene facilities for Filipino children and families.

Launched in 2022, the Batang Matatag Campaign addresses health issues caused by limited access to clean water, proper hygiene, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) facilities. The new partnership with the Manila Water Foundation will help expand the installation of handwashing stations and water pumps in schools and communities across the Philippines.

“Investing in our children’s gut health and hygiene is investing in our future. The Batang Matatag Campaign calls on all of us to play a part in building a healthier, stronger Philippines, where every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential,” said Rica Mae Mateo from Erceflora Probiotics.

Combating Diarrhea-Related Childhood Mortality

Concerned by the rise in childhood mortality due to preventable diseases like diarrhea, Erceflora Probiotics and Save the Children Philippines launched the Batang Matatag Campaign in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in 2022. Since its launch, the campaign has reached over 19,477 individuals in local communities and schools. It has trained more than 1,000 adolescents in essential life skills, educated 500 residents on child health and nutrition, and achieved a remarkable 100% improvement in health levels within the communities it served.

Expansion to Rizal Province and Luzon

In 2023, Batang Matatag expanded to Rizal province in Luzon, completing four hygiene promotion sessions, WASH caravans, and 12 nutrition promotion sessions. The campaign distributed 2,500 hygiene kits to students and Brigada Eskwela cleaning kits to 126 schools in both Rizal and BARMM.

The initiative also trained school clinicians and nurses in 68 public schools in Antipolo on the role of probiotics and effective diarrhea management for schoolchildren. The campaign’s efforts included the construction of water pumps and handwashing stations, benefiting over 65,000 individuals across both provinces.

Continued Growth and Community Empowerment

"We are incredibly proud of Batang Matatag's impact in its first year, and we are thrilled to expand our reach to Luzon. With the support of our partners and communities, we are committed to continuing this vital work to ensure that every Filipino child grows up healthy and strong," Mateo added.

Families can actively contribute to the cause through their purchase of Erceflora Probiotics. A portion of each sale is donated to the #BatangMatatag Campaign, helping fund the construction of additional WASH facilities and hygiene education programs for vulnerable communities and partner schools.

Erceflora is available at local pharmacies or online through the Sanofi Official Store. For more information, visit the Erceflora website.