Maynilad pro-poor programs now benefit 3.2 million Filipinos
WEST Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) has already reached some 3.2 million Filipinos with its “water for the poor” programs that seek to provide sustainable water access to marginalized communities.
These programs—which include “Samahang Tubig ng Maynilad” and “Pag-asa sa Tubig Partnership”, among other initiatives—involves connecting urban poor households to the network and organizing marginalized communities into cooperatives that can manage the water system in their respective areas.
“These communities no longer have to get their supply from unsanitary sources and illegal water retailers. Not only does this improve their living conditions, it also helps to avert practices like illegally connecting to the pipe system, which can affect water pressure and supply availability,” said Maynilad’s Customer Experience and Retail Operations head Christopher J. Lichauco.
Prior to getting a Maynilad connection, these residents used to spend around Php P40 per 200-liter drum for their daily water needs. Now, under Maynilad’s subsidized rates, poor communities only spend around P2.38 per drum (or 1 centavo per liter). Moreover, Maynilad offers flexible, long-term payment schemes for the water service application of low-income households.
Program beneficiaries are also given skills training, with some of these communities now earning their livelihood as accredited manufacturers of hygiene and cleaning supplies. This is in line with Maynilad’s bid to promote poverty alleviation and provide water access.
The company implements its pro-poor water programs with support from non-government organizations “E&V Water and Life Philippines” and “Tubig Pag-asa”.
Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines in terms of customer base. It is the concessionaire of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) for the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area, which is composed of the cities of Manila (certain portions), Quezon City (certain portions), Makati (west of South Super Highway), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon all in Metro Manila; the cities of Cavite, Bacoor and Imus, and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario, all in Cavite Province.
