Manila Water Foundation lauds partners in WASH mission

Jocot de Dios, MWF president and Manila Water Co. president and CEO, thanked all partners for entrusting the foundation with P91 million in partnership value for the implementation of its various programs.

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila Water Foundation (MWF) concluded its month-long series of events to mark its 18th anniversary with a Partners Recognition Event last Friday, March 3.

The MWF, the social development arm of Maynila Water Co., chose a Filipino barrio fiesta theme for the celebration at the MWSS Multi-purpose Hall, where it gathered partners from both the public and the private sectors.

The MWF posted an article about the event on its website.

Jocot de Dios, MWF president and Manila Water president and CEO, thanked all partners for entrusting the foundation with a total of P91 million in partnership value for the implementation of MWF environmental projects and bringing the so-called WASH — water access, sanitation, and hygiene to communities.

In his message, Education Assistant Secretary Dexter A. Galban emphasized the importance of all partners collaborating for Filipino learners in championing WASH in Schools or WinS, which is part of Oplan Kalusugan of the Department of Education — or OK sa DepEd.

From 2019 to 2022, MWF, with the generous support of partners, constructed more than 500 sets of multi-faucet hand hygiene facilities and more than 3,000 hygiene kits on campuses nationwide. These were completed in time for the full implementation of face-to-face classes in public schools and the continuing promotion of health and hygiene on campus.

Nurturing partnerships

The invited guests represented 18 current collaborators.

To symbolize synergy and stewardship, each of them was given a potted Aglaonema, a colorful and sturdy plant. They also completed a large-scale puzzle and placed their respective organization’s logo on a Synergy Wall, signifying their support for the WASH program houses of MWF.

To concretely demonstrate synergies, MWF will Grant a Wish of WASH and donate a WASHUp! portable handwashing station with bar soap and the MWF WASH storybook “May Tubig na sina Tinay!” to public schools and institutions in the name of each partner organization.

Each partner is then challenged to top up the donation so as to expand the WASH project’s reach.

The invited guests represented 18 current collaborators and another set of 18 partners with which the MWF intends to have strong collaborations.

Reaching out to new frontiers

Another event highlight was when the Integrated WASH program house of MWF introduced a new project: Lináng.

Adopting the Filipino term which means “to cultivate” or “to foster the growth of,” Linang is a technical mentorship and support program for local water service providers in rural areas in the Philippines.

MWF and its valued partners are responding to the growing demand for technical knowledge support by harnessing the expertise and strengths of the Manila Water Co.

In fostering technical excellence among local water service providers, more communities can have better access to quality and reliable water services.

“Eighteen years of bringing WASH, and now environmental programs to the communities would not be possible without the help of our partners. Manila Water Foundation commits to bringing care to more communities this year and beyond,” Reginald Andal, MWF executive director said.

“Our dear partners give us a renewed sense of hope and resiliency that we are not alone in our work to deliver water access, sanitation, and hygiene programs to more of our kababayans across the country,” he added.