MANILA — The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) has acknowledged Manila Water’s sustainability programs that made an impact on water provision, water education and environmental protection.
“We believe that the overall efforts of Manila Water, our reliable partner over the last 20 years under our successful Private Public Partnership (PPP) along with Maynilad, must be commended notably their overall performance in basic and efficient delivery of basic water services in Metro Manila’s east zone but also in their various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects,” said MWSS Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco.
“We want that this continuing effort will be part of the program that will ensure clean and sufficient water for all,” Velasco said.
Among Manila Water noble flagship CSR programs is the Tubig Para Sa Barangay (TPSB), or Water for the Community, that aims to provide affordable water and deliver 24/7 potable water to low-income communities.
Since its inception in 1998 more than 700 projects completed that benefitted over 1.8 million people.
“We have added more than three million customers with the past 20 years and more than half of that, about 1.8 million came from the marginalized sector,” said Manila Water President Ferdinand M. dela Cruz. “This is one more area where we are proud of what we have done in the East Zone.”
Complementing TPSB is the Lingap program which involves installing drinking fountains and wash areas, repairing after-the-meter pipelines, and providing sanitation facilities in public schools, hospitals, orphanages, markets, city jails, and churches.
More than 380 institutions and over 1.5 million beneficiaries have been given 24/7 access to clean water.
Another notable Manila Water CSR project is Lakbayan, or Water Trail, and the Greening the Supply Chain programs that showcase the entire water cycle – starting from raw water source, to the treatment process, distribution until the used water treatment process.
Its objective is to bring awareness to the importance of water, the necessity of using water wisely and the proper management of used water. Greening the supply chain involves encouraging the company’s business partners to adopt sustainability in their respective company policies.
The program also involves provision for training and technical assistance on cleaner production, energy efficiency, solid waste management, hazardous waste management, environmental laws and other environmental topics.
Not to be outdone is the Toka Toka Program, a joint project being undertaken in collaboration with Asian Development Bank and ABS-CBN Foundation that encourages proper management of wastewater in every household in order to revive rivers and waterways.
By involving the households, they are given the opportunity to help combat pollution in the rivers and waterways. As stakeholders, households are encouraged to practice solid waste management and segregation; to desludge household septic tanks every five years; and to connect to proper sewer lines.
The community is also being educated on proper wastewater management and the environment.To date, over 25 institutions and companies have signed up as Toka Toka partners since its launch in 2012.
Manila Water has also actively thrown its support to the MWSS’ Annual Million Tree Challenge as it has pledged a total of 130,000 trees for the calendar year to protect the environment and vital water sources of Metro Manila. (PNA)
