24 champions recognized for advancing water sustainability in PH

by Info @Brand Zone | March 23, 2026

Photo: Maynilad officials led by President and CEO Ramoncito S.  Fernandez, Department of Environment and Natural Resources officials led by Secretary Juan Miguel T. Cuna, and National Water Resources Board represented by its Executive Director Dr. Sevillo D. David Jr. pose with the 24 awardees and two awardees of the Woman in Water Leadership Award during the World Water Day Philippines Awards held at the Diamond Hotel in Manila. Date of release: March 20, 2026

Twenty-four individuals and organizations driving water conservation, environmental protection, and sustainable water management were recognized at the World Water Day Philippines Awards, held at the Diamond Hotel in Manila. Two additional honorees received the Woman in Water Leadership Award.

The annual awards, organized by Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), and key stakeholders in the water sector, highlight initiatives that contribute to safeguarding the country’s water resources and strengthening collaboration across sectors.

This year’s honorees represent a wide range of efforts—from community-led water access and sanitation programs to large-scale wastewater reuse, watershed protection, and innovative technologies that improve water efficiency.

In line with the 2026 World Water Day theme of “Water and Gender,” women leaders and organizations were highlighted during the ceremony.

Among these was the Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI)–Donsol, Sorsogon, which leads a community enterprise that transforms plastic waste into marketable products while providing livelihood opportunities.

Outstanding Women Leaders in the Sector include Engr. Liza B. Silerio, Dr. Jessica C. Salas, and Ms. Eileen L. Dela Vega.

Meanwhile, the Woman in Water Leadership Award was conferred on Jacqueline A. Caancan and Alma L. Abrasaldo.

Also among those recognized were Greencycle Innovative Solutions Inc., whose plastic waste recovery program has helped reduce pollution in communities surrounding Laguna de Bay, and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority–Flood Control and Sewerage Management Office (MMDA-FCSMO) for dredging operations at the Napindan Channel that improved water outflow and helped stabilize lake levels.

Community-based initiatives were also honored, including Water Access, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) groups in the Ipo and Kaliwa watersheds, which manage localized water supply and sanitation systems and promote proper hygiene practices in underserved areas.

Private sector and institutional leaders likewise took part in advancing sustainable water management. Okada Manila was cited for its wastewater reclamation and reuse program, while Boracay Tubi System Inc. was recognized for adopting advanced leak detection and water reuse technologies. Academic institutions such as the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, Maria Montessori Foundation Inc., and the University of San Carlos Water Resources Center Foundation Inc. were also acknowledged for their contributions to water education, research, and planning.

Several water districts were recognized for improving service delivery and promoting sustainable practices, including Santa Maria Water District, Gingoog City Water District, Infanta Quezon Water District, and Davao City Water District.

The irrigators’ associations of Colawin Pump Irrigation System Association, Inc. (Cebu), Magatos, Camoning, San Vicente Irrigators’ Association (MACASVIA), Inc. (Davao del Norte), and Tamia Communal Irrigators’ Association, Inc. (Davao de Oro) were also honored, while local government initiatives such as Imus City’s Julian and Imus River Rehabilitation Program were cited for restoring waterways through community engagement and environmental protection efforts.

Also included among this year’s honorees are FEATR (The Fat Kid Inside Studios), Ruben Almendras, and the Laguna Lake Development Authority.

“Water management requires precision, sustained investment, and a strong commitment to future generations. By restoring watersheds and strengthening our systems, we move closer to securing our water resources for the long term,” said Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Juan Miguel T. Cuna.

“Your work inspires action and reminds us that protecting our water resources is a shared responsibility. Safeguarding water for future generations requires cooperation, innovation, and a shared sense of purpose,” said Maynilad President and Chief Executive Officer Ramoncito S. Fernandez.

The World Water Day Philippines Awards is part of the country’s annual observance of World Water Day and serves as a platform to recognize champions of water stewardship while encouraging stronger collaboration among government agencies, communities, and institutions.

FULL LIST OF WINNERS:

Laguna Lake Development Authority’s Kampeon ng LawaGreencycle Innovative Solutions Inc.; Metropolitan Manila Development Authority – Flood Control and Sewerage Management Office (MMDA-FCSMO); Engr. Liza B. Silerio

Local Water Utilities Administration’s Huwarang Lingkod TubigSanta Maria Water District; Gingoog City Water District; Infanta Quezon Water District

Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands, Inc.’s Bayani ng KatubiganLaguna Lake Development Authority; Maria Montessori Foundation Inc.-Alabang; FEATR (The Fat Kid Inside Studios)

DENR–Environmental Management Bureau’s Women in Action for Marine Plastic Pollution AwardKalipunan ng Liping Pilipina of Donsol, Sorsogon

Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System’s Kaagapay sa Tubig-KanlunganWater Access, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Group-Sitio Sapang Munti, Norzagaray, Bulacan (Ipo Watershed); WASH Group–Brgy. Magsaysay, Infanta, Quezon (Kaliwa Watershed)

National Irrigation Administration’s Most Outstanding Irrigators’ AssociationsColawin Pump Irrigation System Association, Inc.; Magatos, Camoning, San Vicente Irrigators’ Association (MACASVIA), Inc.; Tamia Communal Irrigators’ Association, Inc.

Philippine Water Partnership’s Woman Watershed ChampionDr. Jessica C. Salas

Metro Pacific Water’s Blue Crest AwardOkada Manila; Ruben Almendras; Eileen L. Dela Vega

Maynilad’s Water Warrior Award for Water Education and Environmental StewardshipUniversity of Perpetual Help System DALTA; Imus City’s Julian and Imus River Rehabilitation Program

National Water Resources Board’s NWRB Water-Wise AwardDavao City Water District; Boracay Tubi System Inc.; University of San Carlos Water Resources Center Foundation

Maynilad’s Woman in Water Leadership AwardAlma L. Abrasaldo; Jacqueline A. Caancan

Maynilad offers desludging services this March

by Info @Brand Zone | March 17, 2026

Date of release: March 17, 2026

West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) is offering septic tank cleaning services to its residential and semi-business customers this March in select parts of Caloocan, Las Piñas, Manila, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Pasay, Quezon City, Valenzuela, and Cavite Province at no extra cost.

Maynilad’s sanitation program is one of the company’s efforts to lessen pollution loading into Metro Manila’s river systems. “We ask our customers to avail of this service, as it will help to protect community health and the environment,” said Engr. Zmel Grabillo, Maynilad’s Head of Wastewater Management.

Customers residing in Barangay 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 140, 141, 147, 150, 152, 153, 154, 156, 157, 158, 159, 163, and 168 in Caloocan; Brgy. Manuyo I, Manuyo II, and Pilar in Las Piñas; Brgy. Port Area, Sampaloc, Sta. Ana, and Sta. Cruz in Manila; Brgy. Alabang and Tunasan in Muntinlupa; Brgy. Malibay, Maricaban, San Roque in Pasay; Brgy. Baclaran, Don Galo, La Huerta, Marcelo Green, Moonwalk, Sto. Niño, and Tambo in Parañaque; Brgy. Baesa, Bagbag, Damayan, Doña Imelda, Greater Fairvew, Kaligayahan, Manresa, Mariblo, Nagkaisang Nayon, San Antonio, San Jose, Sauyo, St. Peter, Talipapa, and Unang Sigaw in Quezon City; and Brgy. Balangkas, Canumay East, Gen. T. De Leon, and Lingunan in Valenzuela may avail of Maynilad’s desludging service. 

Moreover, some Maynilad customers in Cavite Province, particularly Brgy. Aniban I, Banalo, Bayanan, Bucandula IV, Campo Santo, Daang Bukid, Digman, Dulong Bayan, Habay II, Mabolo I, Maliksi I, Mambog I, Mambog V, Molino I, Malino, II, Panapaan I to VII, Palico IV, Poblacion, Tabing Dagat, Talaban II to Talaba VII, and Zapote V in Bacoor City; Brgy. Malagasang I-D to Malagasang I-F, Malagasang II-D to Malagasang II-G, and Malagasang II in Imus City may avail of the company’s septic tank cleaning services at no extra cost. Septic tank cleaning service normally costs around Php 4,700 per truck.

Maynilad customers interested in availing of the company’s septic tank cleaning service may call the Maynilad Hotline 1626 to determine the requirements and procedures. Additional information is also available in the company’s website, www.mayniladwater.com.ph, and social media accounts (X: @maynilad, Facebook: /MayniladWater).

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.

Maynilad sustains NRW reduction drive through continued network upgrades

by Info @Brand Zone | March 4, 2026

File Photo: Maynilad contractors conduct pipe replacement works in Manila, one of the operational interventions under the company’s intensified non-revenue water (NRW) reduction program, which brought NRW down to 30.7% by end-2025 from 38.4% a year earlier.

West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) will continue strengthening its water loss reduction program through sustained investments in Non-Revenue Water (NRW) management initiatives, supporting efforts to improve network efficiency and maximize available water supply across its concession area.

These initiatives form part of Maynilad’s MWSS-approved Business Plan for 2023 to 2027, which provides for continued infrastructure rehabilitation, leak detection activities, and targeted system upgrades aimed at reducing water losses across its network serving densely populated urban communities in the West Zone.

Portions of Maynilad’s distribution network were inherited from earlier water systems developed over several decades, with some legacy pipelines in Metro Manila dating back to the early 20th century and requiring continuing rehabilitation.

Under Maynilad’s MWSS-approved Business Plan, approximately ₱7.7 billion has been allocated for Non-Revenue Water management initiatives programmed for 2026 implementation.

NRW management remains a central component of Maynilad’s operational strategy. In 2025 alone, the company recovered about 256 million liters per day (MLD) of water through intensified leak detection, pipe replacement, pressure management, and network monitoring interventions—an amount equivalent to the output of a major water treatment plant, or nearly the combined production of two of Maynilad’s southern water treatment facilities.

According to Maynilad Central NRW Head Engr. Ryan B. Jamora, reducing water losses enables utilities to make more treated water available to customers without immediately developing new water sources.

“Recovering water through NRW reduction helps us optimize existing infrastructure and improve overall system efficiency,” Jamora said. “Much of this work happens underground through continuous monitoring and early leak detection before problems become visible at the surface.”

For 2026, NRW initiatives will support selective pipe replacement in high-loss areas, expanded leakage control activities, network diagnostics, and the continued evaluation of emerging technologies designed to improve leak localization and field response efficiency.

Maynilad said its current approach prioritizes data-driven interventions, enabling engineering teams to focus resources on areas where interventions deliver the greatest operational benefit while minimizing disruption to communities.

Leak detection activities were demonstrated in Barangays Bungad and Paltok in Quezon City as part of Maynilad’s ongoing stakeholder engagement efforts to provide operational context on how underground leaks are identified and addressed within active urban environments.

Pipeline systems are subject to natural deterioration from operating conditions such as traffic loading, road works, and coastal exposure, making NRW management a continuing engineering requirement for large metropolitan utilities.

Under its approved Business Plan, Maynilad targets reducing NRW levels to 25% by 2027 and 20% by 2030, consistent with regulatory commitments and the company’s long-term service reliability and sustainability objectives.

The 20% NRW level is widely recognized in the water industry as an efficient benchmark for large urban utilities, where further reductions may require disproportionately higher investment relative to incremental water recovery. Maynilad said its NRW program therefore focuses on achieving sustainable and economically efficient loss reduction while maintaining service reliability across a complex metropolitan network.

Date of Release: March 3, 2026