L-R: Manila Water Operations Group Director Joemar Emboltorio, Manila Water Chief Operating Officer for East Zone Arnold Jether Mortera, Pasig City Vice Mayor Robert “Dodot” Jaworski Jr., Laguna Lake Development Authority Assistant General Manager Catherine Buena, MWSS Regulatory Office Chief Regulator Atty. Patrick Lester Ty, Manila Water East Zone Business Operations Group Director Shoebe Hazel Caong, MWSS Corporate Office Acting Deputy Administrator Patrick James Dizon, DENR-NCR Deputy Site Coordinating and Managing Officer, MBSCMO Justice Marie Paala, MMDA FCSMO Engineer II John Eric Recacho, MMDA FCSMO Dredge Master II Engr. Anton Flosa
MANILA, Philippines — On the 12th anniversary of its flagship environmental advocacy Toka Toka, East Zone concessionaire Manila Water once again gathered its partners or “Kasanggas” and barangay achievers for desludging and environmental stewardship in an event dubbed “ToKasangga 2024: Bayanihan para sa Malinis na Tubig at Sanitasyon,” held at the Metrotent Convention Center in Pasig City.
The event was also attended by MWSS-Corporate Office Acting Deputy Administrator Patrick James Dizon, MWSS-Regulatory Office Chief Regulator Atty. Patrick Lester Ty, Laguna Lake Development Authority Assistant General Manager Catherine Buena, and Pasig City Vice Mayor Robert “Dodot” Jaworski.
Organized by the East Zone Business Operations Group and Advocacy and Research Department, the ToKasangga event aims to build stronger relationships with stakeholders and recognize their efforts in contributing to the company’s advocacy of achieving water access and sanitation for all and protecting the environment through sustainable ways.
“To our Kasanggas, I want to express our heartfelt appreciation for your unwavering support to Manila Water’s programs, especially the Toka Toka program which now marks its 12th year. Lahat po kayo ay instrumental at bahagi ng ating mga programa in addressing waste management and promoting the rehabilitation of our waterways. Hindi rin po ito naging posible without your collaboration and dedication. Lahat po tayo dito ay Kasangga, Katoka at Katubig,” said Arnold Jether Mortera, Manila Water Chief Operating Officer for East Zone.
“We would like to express outmost gratitude to Manila Water, along with the local government units in the Laguna De Bay region for its continued and unwavering support to to our flagship initiative Abot Kamay para sa Laguna De Bay: Mission in Action, Solid Waste Recovery program which plays a critical role in improving the water quality of our waterways, particularly the Laguna De Bay, by addressing one of the most pressing challenges – solid waste pollution. This aligns perfectly with Manila Water’s broader goals of promoting responsible waste management, water conservation and the protection of our water resources,” said Buena.
During the event, Manila Water honored 12 desludging achievers in the East Zone who reached the target number of septic tanks to be siphoned in their respective barangays in 2023: Barangay E. Rodriguez, Krus na Ligas, Tandang Sora and West Kamias in Quezon City; Barangay 764, 767 and 790 in Manila; Barangay Mambugan, Inarawan and San Juan in Antipolo City; Barangay Namayan in Mandaluyong City; and Barangay Poblacion Itaas in the municipality of Angono.
The company also recognized 15 cities and municipalities as “Katoka for Desludging” for their unwavering support to the Company’s efforts in providing regular desludging services to barangays.
Manila Water also presented the Ka-Toka ng Kalikasan Award to four barangays for the successful implementation of their respective sustainable environmental programs: Makati City’s Barangay Guadalupe Viejo for their Urban Greening program and Barangay Valenzuela for their Takakura Composting project, Quezon City’s Barangay Pasong Tamo for their Trash to Cashback program and Antipolo City’s Barangay Inarawan for their Dengue Prevention Drive.
Toka Toka is the first and only environmental movement in the Philippines that advocates proper management of wastewater in every household as an important share (or “toka”) in reviving our rivers and waterways through four ownable acts such as encouraging solid waste management and segregation, desludging of household septic tank every five years, connecting all households to a proper sewer line and educating the community on proper wastewater management and the environment.