Some of the 800 local government, barangay, and community leaders recently honored by Manila Water at the UP Bahay ng Alumni, Quezon City. (Photo from Manila Water)
MANILA, Philippines — Manila Water Company (MWC) recently feted around 800 local government, barangay, and community leaders from each city and municipality in the Metro Manila East Zone service area and Rizal province at the UP Bahay ng Alumni in Quezon City.
Manila Water stages the annual event — this year’s theme is “Building Back Better Together” — to show its appreciation to its partners who have given their full support to the company through the years, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The company also takes the opportunity at the event to reaffirm its commitment to providing 24/7 access to clean drinking water and improved sanitation, especially in marginalized communities.
In a speech, Jose Victor Emmanuel de Dios, president and CEO of Manila Water, told the partners: “We’re very, very grateful for your support. We truly appreciate the work that you do… This event does not quantify the value that you have for us. We consider you as part of the Manila Water family.”
Manila Water stages the annual event to show its appreciation to its partners who have given their full support through the years, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo from Manila Water)
In an article posted on its website, Manila Water said that “persistent and proactive engagement” had proved to be “a highly effective strategy” in dealing with its stakeholders.
The strategy is also part of the company’s “improved Sustainability Agenda” under “Helping Communities Thrive.”
The agenda focuses on working in partnership with local governments, civil society organizations, businesses, investors, and other stakeholders “to create awareness, advocate sustainable practices, and respond to critical social needs and pressing environmental issues.”
Commenting on the strategy, the Cainta municipal administrator Kit Nieto (who was a former mayor of the town) had this to say to the Manila Water management in Filipino: “That’s one of the most beautiful concepts you have come up with for the people. They will have an avenue to relay their issues. And you in MWC will be able to address the problems about water that they mention.”
Shifting his speech to English, Nieto added: “So far, you’ve been very, very successful in what you’ve done. There’s just a lot of communities now that are benefitting from the arrangements that we had, the meetings that we held, and the conferences that made sure that we get to resolve all these problems expeditiously.”
For his part, Mayor Bernardo San Juan of Cardona, Rizal, had this to say: “We want to express our gratitude [to Manila Water] for the remarkable support extended to our fisherfolks and the education sector through various initiatives. Your partnership and collaboration with the municipality of Cardona have undoubtedly made a positive impact on our community.”