By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
MANDALUYONG CITY — Manila Water Foundation (MWF) celebrated its 20th Anniversary and Partners Recognition Night dubbed as “Daluyong” on Friday (Feb. 28) here at the Sonata Ballroom of The Westin Manila. In his opening remarks, MWF Executive Director Reginald Andal noted that 20 years is still young.
Andal recognized the people behind the 20 years milestones of the MWF across the country.
“Daluyong is the lawak (expanse) and lalim (depth) of MWF,” he said.
He cited the Sitio Sapang Munti in Norzagaray, Bulacan which the MWF provided a water treatment facility and 30 individual toilets for the Dumagats in the area.
“We are working with MWSS in Barangay Magsaysay in Infanta, Quezon for water facilities,” Andal said.
Two decades of milestones of the social arm of Manila Water, that is the MWF.
In his speech, Manila Water President and CEO Jose Victor Emmanuel “Jocot” De Dios cited the vast water across the archipelago but there are still others who have no potable water.
“We know that outside the areas we serve, water is a problem,” he said.
Last year, they endeavored with MWSS to operate the La Mesa Dam.
“Through the years, the MWF has built projects and implemented programs that benefitted many,” De Dios said.
“We are tasked to protect the watershed not only in Angat (Bulacan) but also Laguna Lake,” he added.
He expressed gratitude to the communities and the stakeholders.
The Sigla Katubig Volunteers were recognized.
Sigla is a citizen engagement program that harnesses the spirit of volunteerism for wash and the environment
Neil Mallari, of the Center for Conservation Innovations, was also recognized and given hand-crafted products made by the Cardona Multipurpose Cooperative.
The ICTSI Foundation, Inc., the League of Corporate Foundations, Meralco Foundation, Rural Rising Philippines, World Vision Development Foundation were also honored.
Non-East Zone partners Clark Water, Boracay Water Company, Manila Water Infratech Solutions, and Laguna Water were recognized,
Public sector partners MWSS Corporate Office led by Engr Leonor “Bobby” C. Cleofas, MWSS RO led by Atty. Patrick Ty, BJMP, AFP, DSWD, and NEDA were honored,
Atty. Ty said that water conservation is one of their advocacies at the MWSS RO.
The School Division Offices of Mandaluyong City, Quezon City, and Taguig City were recognized.
Silver honorees were the Makati Development Corporation (MDC), the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), Phinma Foundation, and Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Gold honorees were partners and sponsors Airbus, Angat Buhay Foundation, with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands, Ayala Foundation, Bloomberry Cultural Foundation, BPI Foundation, GMA Kapuso Foundation, and Maynilad
Likewise, Metrobank Foundation, Opella Healthcare Philippines, One Meralco Foundation, Pascual Laboratories, P&G Philippines, PhilUSA Corporation, and Pilipinas Shell Foundation,
King Agoncillo, of P&G, expressed his heartfelt gratitude and congratulated the MWF for its 20th Anniversary.
One of the MWF’s beneficiaries is the La Mesa Ecopark which is considered as the last environmental hub in Metro Manila.
The MWF has been installing drinking and hygienic facilities, and through the Manila Water, the Project Drink 72 with 72 refrigerated drinking water fountains that benefitted 100,000 public school students.
Among the beneficiaries of Project 72 are the public schools located in Quezon City.
The MWF is also harnessing talents in the enterprise in the communities.
The MWF invited everyone to continue to participate and join the wave.
