Maynilad partners with MPower to advance renewable energy shift

by Info - @Brand Zone | September 10, 2025

Date of release: September 8, 2025

West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. has signed a new agreement with Manila Electric Company’s (Meralco) local retail electricity supplier, MPower, to deliver power to its Poblacion Water Treatment Plant in Muntinlupa City and 54 other water and wastewater facilities. The partnership supports Maynilad’s ongoing efforts to improve energy efficiency and transition to cleaner power sources.

Under the agreement, Poblacion WTP—Maynilad’s newest water treatment facility—has been enrolled in the Retail Electricity Supply (RES) program, where MPower will provide an energy mix of 90% non-renewable and 10% renewable power. MPower will also work with Maynilad to manage the plant’s energy use in preparation for a future increase in renewable share.

In addition, 54 Maynilad facilities—including pump stations, reservoirs, and wastewater treatment plants—are now part of MPower’s Retail Aggregation Program (RAP), which enables the bulk purchase of electricity and consolidation of accounts for greater operational efficiency.

“These initiatives form part of our broader strategy to optimize energy consumption while reducing our overall environmental footprint,” said Maynilad President and CEO Ramoncito S. Fernandez.

In pursuit of carbon neutrality by 2037, Maynilad is implementing a comprehensive strategy centered on the transition to renewable energy sources and the establishment of a carbon sink equivalent to 180,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide. As of March 2025, Maynilad aims to increase its reliance on clean energy to 15% of total power requirements, with a target range of 35% to 50% by 2037.

These efforts directly support the goals of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, which seeks to reduce the Philippines’ greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030.

Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire of Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) in the Philippines in terms of customer base. Its service area includes the cities of Manila (all but portions of San Andres and Sta. Ana), Quezon City (west of San Juan River, West Avenue, EDSA, Congressional, Mindanao Avenue, the northern part starting from the Districts of Holy Spirit and Batasan Hills), Makati (west of South Super Highway), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas, and Malabon, all in Metro Manila; and the cities of Cavite, Bacoor, and Imus, and the municipalities of Kawit, Noveleta, and Rosario, all in the province of Cavite.

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Maynilad

Higit sa tubig ang aming serbisyo

Hotline: 1626

Cavite Toll Free Hotline: 1-800-1000-92837

Bisitahin ang official website: www.mayniladwater.com.ph

DOST-CAR Showcased Science, Technology, and Innovation Milestones in Baguio City and Benguet

by Info / Nelson Santos @Technology | August 15, 2025

PCSO Joins Unified Senior Citizens’ Medical and Dental Mission Program

As part of the 2025 Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW) celebration in the Cordillera Administrative Region, the Department of Science and Technology – CAR (DOST-CAR) spearheaded a series of major events on August 8, 2025, held in both Baguio City and La Trinidad, Benguet. The activities were led by DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr., together with DOST executives, regional stakeholders, and media partners.

The day began with an STI Site Visit to Northland Food Products in Baguio City, an adopter of the DOST-FNRI Enhanced Nutribun Technology. The company, assisted by DOST-CAR in 2021 through PSTO-Benguet, launched its "Good Baker" brand featuring squash, carrot, and sweet potato variants of the e-Nutribun. In 2025, it introduced Nutribunnet and Nutricookies, using FNRI’s latest product enhancements. Secretary Solidum lauded the enterprise for supporting the fight against hunger and malnutrition through food innovation.

Following the site visit, DOST-CAR officially launched the DOST-PSTO Baguio-Benguet Innovation Hub (iHUB), strategically located along Governor Pack Road. The iHUB was envisioned as a collaborative space for MSMEs, startups, and academic researchers to access technical support, resources, and S&T-based solutions. Secretary Solidum emphasized the hub’s role in advancing innovation ecosystems and promoting a stronger S&T presence in the region.

A significant highlight of the day was the unveiling of the plaque for the Artificial Groundwater Recharge Facility (AGRF) at the Athletic Bowl in Burnham Park, Baguio City, led by DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong. Another AGRF site is situated at the Strawberry Farm in Betag, La Trinidad, Benguet, attended by DOST delegates and La Trinidad, Benguet representatives led by its City Mayor, Hon. Roderick C. Awingan. The AGRF is a climate-resilient, science-based solution to recurring challenges in water scarcity, flooding, and extreme weather. It works by injecting clean rainwater into aquifers through recharge wells during the rainy season, boosting groundwater infiltration and storage. This reduces flood risks, minimizes damage to agriculture and infrastructure, and helps secure a steady year-round water supply. The pilot initiative was funded by the DOST, implemented by ERDB–WWRRDEC under the DOST NICER Program, and is monitored by DOST–PCIEERD.

Capping the day’s lineup of activities, DOST inaugurated the Advanced Manufacturing Center – Cordillera (AMCEN-CAR) at Benguet State University. This marked the first AMCEN in the Cordillera and the fifth in the country, providing local industries and institutions with access to equipment, expertise, and research in advanced manufacturing. The launch demonstrated DOST’s commitment to strengthening regional industrial competitiveness through cutting-edge science and technology.

Through these back-to-back events, DOST-CAR showcased how S&T investments and partnerships are creating tangible impacts across sectors. As host of RSTW 2025, the regional office reaffirmed its mission to bridge innovation and inclusive development for the people of the Cordilleras. (Nelson Santos)

12 yrs. kulong, P1M multa sa gagamit ng AI sa kalokohan

ni Mylene Alfonso @News | August 6, 2025

File Photo: Chiz Escudero / AI - FP

Nais ni Senate President Francis 'Chiz' Escudero na patawan ng parusa ang sinumang gagamit ng artificial intelligence (AI) sa maling paraan.

Sa kanyang inihaing Senate Bill No. 782 o ang Physical Identity Protection Act, ang sinumang gagawa, magdye-generate, magpo-produce, magpapalaganap, o maglabas ng anumang AI-generated na content na gumagamit ng pisikal na anyo o imahe ng isang tao nang walang pahintulot ay papatawan ng kasong kriminal.

Layunin ng panukala na magtakda ng mga sumusunod na parusa: Kulong na 1 hanggang 2 taon o multang hindi lalampas sa P200K, o pareho, sa sinumang gumawa, nag-generate, o nagbahagi ng content na gumagamit ng pisikal na anyo ng isang tao nang walang pahintulot o legal na batayan; Kulong na 2 hanggang 4 na taon o multang P200K hanggang P400K, o pareho, kung ang layunin ng content ay para sa financial gain o profit; Kulong na 4 hanggang 6 na taon o multang P400K hanggang P600K, o pareho, kung ang content ay may layuning makapanlinlang o makagawa ng krimen; Kulong na hanggang 12 taon o multang P600K hanggang P1 milyon, o pareho, kung ang content ay parehong ginagamit para sa kita at panlilinlang o krimen.

Aniya, kung ang lumabag ay isang opisyal o empleyado ng pamahalaan, bukod sa maximum na parusa, siya papatawan pa ng habambuhay na diskwalipikasyon sa paghawak ng anumang posisyon sa gobyerno.

May mga nakasaad din na exemption sa panukala, partikular kung ang paggamit ng pisikal na anyo ng isang tao ay ginawa nang may mabuting layunin, tulad ng makatotohanang pag-uulat o dokumentasyon sa mga isyung may kinalaman sa pampublikong interes.