Editor’s Note
Gender Lens for a Clear Water Vision W
ater is ubiquitous and plays a key role in the advancement of society, wherever you are and whatever gender role you have. Thus, ensuring the sustainability of this valuable resource requires a holistic and inclusive approach. This is the paradigm that DCWD believes in as it aims to be the best gender-responsive water service provider with utmost care for the people and the environment. Confirming that we are on the right track in achieving this Vision, this quarter opened with us winning the Huwarang Lingkod Tubig and Hero of Water awards. These recognitions affirmed our commitment to champion water conservation and watershed protection initiatives. As we reap these accolades, we continued to improve water and sanitation access to the rural areas with the operation of a new water source for Calinan Water Supply System, donation of sanitation facilities to daycare centers, and the water service improvement interventions for the host barangays of our soon-to-be completed bulk water project. Such successful ventures were made possible by the committed employees who live by DCWD’s vision. That is why March was dedicated to honoring their efforts through the conduct of a two-pronged activity in celebration of World Water Day and Women’s Month that featured employees involved in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene projects and selected female frontline officers.
The celebration also increased our confidence that the Davaoeños share our advocacy in protecting the water sources in the city as it provided a glimpse of how customers view the importance of water through the submitted artworks representing the theme #Water2Me: “What Does Water Mean to You?”. To continue these marks of excellence and testament to the high premium we place on human resource, we carried out several capacity-building activities for employees to further equip them with the right skills set for their self and career development. Indeed, the first quarter proves that our development initiatives continue to be inclusive, cutting across all sectors in the organization and the communities it serves. As we move onward in 2021, and despite the uncertainties of the new normal, we will continue using the gender lens for a clear water vision, paving for inclusive development that serves at its finest.
RUTH G. JABINES
Editor-in-Chief Manager, Community Relations and External Affairs Department publicinfo@davao-water.gov.ph
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From the GM’s Desk
Gendering
Water!
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ater supply services should not only be seen as an end in the development spectrum, but also as a means for people to realize their respective capabilities and opportunities. This reveals the underpinning of DCWD’s holistic and comprehensive vision. That is to provide the basic need of the people for water and set the water platform as an avenue to address specific and long-standing social, cultural, and economic issues revolving around water use. DCWD started the year with the appropriate perspective in setting goals and objectives. Believing in our vision to achieve sustainable development in the water industry, we must address the challenge of fulfilling people’s need for water and embrace their experiences and narratives. This leads us to acknowledge the various facets of women’s role in society, especially their substantial contribution to the utility’s day-to-day operations. We are committed to continually bridge the seemingly widened gaps in the provision of opportunities between women and men in our constituency. We continuously exert efforts to delve deeper into the daily narratives of women to strategically end prevalent gender issues. Gendering water comes along with our passion to be the best local water district. In this pursuit, we translate our goals to uplifting the living conditions of beneficiaries, not only among those who are living in the metropolitan area but also those who are situated in peripheral communities. As we continue to expand our services to cater the needs of commercial and industrial establishments, we also tackle the recurring water problems of communities situated in the upland. Partnering with the women and men from different sectors makes us the best in what we do, and this propels us to be a champion for water and the environment. In our stature as one of the most accomplished Local Water Districts in the entire country, we did not rest on our laurels, but rather seek to be a constant champion for protection and preservation of the environment. And, we strive to go beyond the common and usual in order to achieve water-environment sustainability. As a public utility that pursues and promotes inclusive development, we uphold our commitment to public service, strive to be the best water district in the country, and shall remain to be and do so.
ENGR. EDWIN V. REGALADO General Manager ogm@davao-water.gov.ph davaowater@yahoo.com
Camille Margarette U. Solon
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avao City Water District has started the operation of Calinan Production Well (PW) No. 1 in February 2021. This new water source has a supply capacity of 5,000 cubic meters per day that addresses the intermittent water supply in Calinan Water Supply System (WSS) especially during peak hours.
Calinan Production Well No. 1
With the integration of this new source in Calinan WSS, DCWD has implemented operational adjustments such as valve management to manage the pressure and avoid pipeline leakage. Within the same month, a newly installed booster pump in Calinan also became operational. This supplies to more than 400 service connections that were transferred from Malagos WSS to Calinan WSS. In May 2021, interconnection of newly installed pipelines in Lacson will be completed to further maximize the extent of Calinan PW No. 1’s water supply coverage. This will allow for the integration of additional 500 service connections under Calinan WSS.
Newly installed Calinan 50-HP booster pump
Existing Calinan Reservoir
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Water News
New water source for Calinan WSS operates
Water News
Handwashing facility for RCWWD’s new daycare center Camille Margarette U. Solon
DCWD Vice-Chairperson and RCWWD District Club Trainor Jacinto (L) and RCWWD Pres. Espiritu (R) showcase the handwashing facility.
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avao City Water District completed the handwashing facility that forms part of the Rotary Club of Waling-Waling Davao (RCWWD) Day Care Center II for Tibungco Resettlement Homeowners Association.
CSWDO represented by Social Worker Joel F. Tapare expressed gratitude for the continued partnership between their office and RCWWD, stating that the latter’s program has greatly contributed to the development of the youth and the community.
DCWD Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Directors and RCWWD District Club Trainor Maria Luisa L. Jacinto and RCWWD officers and members headed by President Armi Geralyn G. Espiritu led the ceremonial turnover of said handwashing facility and new daycare center to the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) on January 30, 2021.
In the same event, RCWWD also ceremoniously unveiled the marker of Day Care Center I that was built in 1999 through funds from the World Community Service of RI District-2790, Chiba, Japan. To date, RCWWD has already donated two daycares in Tibungco Resettlement Homeowners Association, both of which provide avenues for children to have healthy formative years in their childhood.
Dir. Jacinto emphasized that the daycare center signifies the strong partnership that RCWWD has built with the community and the local government units. It also showcases the collaboration of DCWD and RCWWD in advocating for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) in communities.
These activities form part of RCWWD’s 29th founding anniversary, which the club commemorated by celebrating 20 years of community service in Tibungco Relocation Area. This includes education support, health care, wellness for women and children, livelihood, WasH, peace building, and environment protection.
RCWWD led by President Espiritu (4th from R), DCWD Vice-Chairperson and RCWWD District Club Trainor Jacinto (extreme R), and CSWDO representative Tapare (extreme L) pose for posterity at the new daycare center.
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Water News
DCWD bags awards for water conservation and envi initiatives Katrina Belen M. Roble
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avao City Water District bagged back-to-back recognitions for its water conservation and watershed protection initiatives during the World Water Day Awards 2021 - The New Water Champions on March 22, 2021. Hosted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Water Resources Board, and Maynilad, the virtual awarding ceremony honored champions for water and the environment who made strides in achieving water and environment sustainability in the Philippines. DCWD received the 2020 Huwarang Lingkod Tubig Award for the Best Implemented Water Conservation Program in Mindanao from the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) as part of the 2020 World Water Day celebration. LWUA gave the award this year since the awarding ceremony last year was postponed due to the pandemic. LWUA recognized DCWD’s water conservation program as it utilizes a holistic and inclusive approach to inculcate the culture of water conservation among the Davaoeños. Other water utilities awarded were Metro Naga WD in Luzon and Silay City WD in Visayas.
DCWD also received the Kavontog do’t Aweg or Hero of Water Award for its Adopt-a-Site Project, a multi-sectoral approach in watershed protection and rehabilitation in Mt. Tipolog-Tamugan, Mt. Talomo-Lipadas, and Malagos watersheds. In said project, DCWD encourages the participation of various sectors to help in the tree planting and maintenance activities in the identified water recharge zones of Davao City. The award was given by Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc., DCWD’s partner in the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project. On behalf of DCWD, General Manager Edwin V. Regalado expressed his sincerest thanks to LWUA and Apo Agua for the recognitions and committed to continue advocating water conservation as a way of life and protecting Davao City’s water sources.
GM Regalado receives the 2020 Huwarang Lingkod Tubig and Kavontog do’t Aweg awards during the virtual awarding ceremony.
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Water News
DCWD celebrates Water and Gender
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Katrina Belen M. Roble
n celebration of the World Water Day and National Women’s Month in March, Davao City Water District highlighted the importance of water and gender through the conduct of various online activities via DCWD’s promotional activities Facebook Page (facebook.com/davaowaterandgender).
For 2021, DCWD anchored the back-to-back celebrations with the World Water Day themed #Water2Me: What does water mean to you? which aims to record and celebrate the value and significance of water to various people and National Women’s Month themed Juana Laban sa Pandemya: Kaya! which highlights women’s significant contributions in the society especially during the pandemic.
Women of the Week Women employees who fulfill extraordinary roles, maintain and improve the water infrastructure systems to ensure continuous and sustained water service, and serve in the frontlines amidst the COVID-19 pandemic were honored and given tribute and recognition.
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Water News
Facebook Live: WoMen Edition The Facebook Live: WoMen Edition talk show featuring DCWD’s men and women at the forefront of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) initiatives was conducted on March 8, 15, 22, and 29.
Design Division Manager Christine Suyom-Guarde shared her journey of being an engineer and her involvement in different water service improvement projects.
Vice-Chairperson of DCWD’s Board of Directors (BOD) representing the Women Sector and Rotary Club of Waling-Waling Davao Past President Maria Luisa L. Jacinto discussed her involvement in different WaSH initiatives as well as in mainstreaming Gender and Development (GAD) as the BOD GAD Focal Point Person.
Community Relations Division Manager and former Watershed Management Chief Lorna M. Maxino recounted her experiences in community relations as well as her involvement in environment and watershed protection programs.
Model Employee of the Year 2017 and Corporate Planning Department Information Systems Analysis Unit Supervisor Aris V. Cabamungan tackled exemplifying work-life balance and defying stereotypical gender roles.
Awareness-Raising Activities Various awareness-raising activities for stakeholders and employees were organized to highlight the importance of both celebrations.
Hanging of streamers in DCWD’s Matina, Bajada, and Toril offices
Distribution of customized collaterals to DCWD employees
Promotion of IEC materials (Desktop wallpaper and Facebook cover photo and profile picture frame) and employees’ participation in Purple Fridays to advocate women empowerment and gender equality
The back-to-back celebrations reflect DCWD’s vision and mission of being the best and gender-responsive water service provider that takes a proactive role in environmental concerns and promotes inclusive development through equal and equitable access to water.
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Water News
DCWD awards World Water Day art contest winners Christine Grace P. Casimiro
Advanced Category
Beginner Category
CHAMPION
CHAMPION
WENCESA H. NUERA
CHERLOTTE CLAIRE N. CORTEZ
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
ILKA MARJA A. DIKAY
JEFFERSON J. CORTEZ
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avao City Water District awarded the winners of its first-ever Open Media Art Contest held in celebration of the 2021 World Water Day. Launched in March 2021, the contest showcased various open media artworks representing the theme #Water2Me: “What Does Water Mean to You?” After the pre-screening process, 67 entries qualified for the Advanced Category for 18 years old and above, while 26 entries qualified for the Beginner Category for 7 to 17 years old.
The entries were showcased in a two-week virtual exhibit which gave Davaoeños the chance to see the importance of water in various artistic representations and vote for their favorites. Voted as People’s Choice were the entries of Ilka Marja A. Diray and Jefferson J. Cortez for the Advanced and Beginner categories, respectively.
Emerging as Champion for the Advanced Category was Wencesa H. Nuera who won Php 10,000 cash prize. Champion for the Beginner Category was Cherlotte Claire N. Cortez who won Php 7,000 cash prize. Runners-up for both categories also received cash prizes from DCWD.
General Manager Edwin V. Regalado thanked the Davaoeños for the overwhelming support to this annual celebration. He noted that the pandemic has not deterred DCWD’s water conservation programs and instead enabled the participation of more Davaoeños as the activities shifted online.
Davao-based visual artists Daryl Descallar and Teody Boylie Perez and DCWD Community Relations and External Affairs Department Manager Ruth G. Jabines judged the entries based on creativity (40%), overall relevance to the theme (30%), overall impact (20%), and artist’s statement (10%).
World Water Day is annually celebrated every March 22 since 1993 to highlight the importance of water and sustainable ways for its conservation.
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Water News
ADVANCED CATEGORY
ZHOR JUNAVE C. ANTOCAN 1ST RUNNER-UP
RAPHAEL ANTONIO P. MENDOZA 2ND RUNNER-UP
VINCE JOSEPH D. ORPEZA 3RD RUNNER-UP
BENCHARD T. TAMPOS 4TH RUNNER-UP
ERWIN D. CABELTES 5TH RUNNER-UP
KARLO DAVE G. PALER 6TH RUNNER-UP
JOSE RAUL D. GARBO, JR. 7TH RUNNER-UP
MARK ANTHONY D. MALINTAD 8TH RUNNER-UP
PAUL ALBERT B. ABAN 9TH RUNNER-UP
BEGINNER CATEGORY
JHAZEL MAE C. MATURAN 1ST RUNNER-UP
PRINCESS L. SUGATAN 2ND RUNNER-UP
KATRINA D. GONZALES 3RD RUNNER-UP
ANGEL P. DE GRACIA 4TH RUNNER-UP
JEFFERSON J. CORTEZ 5TH RUNNER-UP
ALLYSSA NICOLE A. LUPIAN 6TH RUNNER-UP
JELVIN C. LANQUIBO, JR. 7TH RUNNER-UP
ALEXIS ROSS P. MINGUILAN 8TH RUNNER-UP
LALAINE L. LIGAN 9TH RUNNER-UP
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Water News
Christine Grace P. Casimiro
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Water News
Alexan Lynette L. Cabeguin
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rue to its commitment to ensure excellent water service to the customers, DCWD launched GCash as among the online water bills payment channels on January 26, 2021. With the addition of GCash, DCWD customers have more options to settle their monthly water bills online along with LBP iAccess for Landbank depositors and Link.BizPortal for both Landbank and non-Landbank depositors. These online water bills payment channels provide customers a convenient and safe way to pay their water bills especially with the COVID-19 pandemic. As DCWD moves to the New Normal, it has been exploring options to make its basic services accessible to customers right at the comforts of their homes.
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Water News
DCWD starts soft infra support for bulk water host barangays Camille Margarette U. Solon and Christine Grace P. Casimiro
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avao City Water District began the series of capacity-building sessions as part of the interim interventions for the Rural Water Supply Systems (RWSS) Development Project for Carmen, Cadalian, Tawan-Tawan, Baguio, Wines, Tamugan, and Tambobong (CARCATABAWI-TAMTAM). These areas are the host barangays of the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project of DCWD. Through the RWSS, DCWD will develop separate level 3 water systems in CARCATABAWI-TAMTAM areas as they will not be served by the gravity powered bulk water supply project since these barangays are situated in high elevation. As the development of level 3 water system infrastructures would still take four to five years, DCWD would also provide “soft” infrastructure interventions to help improve the recipient barangays’ skills in managing the operation of their existing water supply systems. Through this, DCWD will be able to help improve their water service while waiting for the RWSS to be completed.
Principal Engr. Noel L. Caro (standing) and his team demonstrate the different techniques and tools in maintaining pipelines.
Among the first soft infrastructure interventions are series of capacity-building activities on plumbing, pipelines maintenance, and water treatment and disinfection. These capacity-building sessions form part of DCWD’s Corporate Social Responsibility Program specifically the Partner Associations and Groups Building and Advancing Necessary Skillset and Yielding Sustainable Development. The first two were conducted in Brgy. Tawan-Tawan on April 26 and in Brgy. Wines on April 27, 2021 and was participated in by more than 50 male and female barangay key persons. Then on May 6, 2021, a similar activity was conducted in Brgy. Baguio Proper that was attended by 20 barangay key persons.
Participants try out their newly-learned skills on basic plumbing.
DCWD resource persons lectured on water quality, water supply system maintenance, and basic household plumbing. There were actual demonstrations conducted which allowed the participants to use different techniques and tools for pipeline maintenance and water quality testing. All participants expressed their gratitude to DCWD for the support they received and they look forward to more learning interventions from DCWD. Separate sessions are slated for the other CARCATABAWI-TAMTAM barangays. Laboratory Analyst Juneis R. Cabilogan discusses Water and Health.
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GAD Moves
Atty. Jennife D. Borong Atty. Jennife D. Borong
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Water News
2020 Huwarang Lingkod Tubig Award by the Local Water Utilities Administration
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WUA conferred to DCWD the Huwarang Lingkod Tubig Award for the Best Implemented Water Conservation Program for Mindanao as part of the 2020 World Water Day celebration. Since there was no awarding ceremony last year due to the pandemic, LWUA gave the award this year. The criteria for judging were Relevance to Mandate (40%), Significant Impact (35%), and Coverage/Beneficiaries (25%). DCWD’s entry, endorsed by the Southern and Central Mindanao Water Information Council, bannered DCWD’s Water Conservation Program.
WATER CONSERVATION: THE DAVAOEÑO’S WAY OF LIFE Efficient use of water supply has always been among the foundations of DCWD’s almost 48 years of operation. Throughout the years, DCWD has been implementing its Water Conservation Program ensuring that it is ingrained in DCWD’s operations and the Davaoeños’ way of life.
In Focu World W Day Awa Katrina Belen M. Roble
Citywide Support
Non-Revenue Water Reduction
Water Consciousness Month celebration
Davao City is blessed with abundant ground and surface water sources. Valuing this God-given gift, DCWD strives to reduce water wastage through its non-revenue water reduction efforts.
Strengthening this advocacy was the milestone declaring November as Water Consciousness Month in Davao City with DCWD as the lead implementing agency thru Proclamation No. 12 issued on September 12, 2001 by then Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte. To propagate awareness on water conservation, DCWD organizes different activities among various stakeholders.
Goes-to-School Project
Corporate Social Responsibility
Leak detection and repair
District Metered Areas
Customers Appreciation
Change Meter Program
Illegal Connection Apprehension
Stakeholder Engagement Strategies Inter-school contests
Employees activities
Davao City Ordinance No. 0298-09 or an Ordinance for the Proper Harvesting, Storage, and Utilization of Rainwater in Davao City In support to the ordinance, DCWD with other stakeholders advocates for the use of rainwater harvesting catchment systems in their establishments as another way of conserving water.
DCWD also believes that the strength of an advocacy lies on the support it gets from the stakeholders. Thus, DCWD continuously engages all of its stakeholders in advocating for efficient water use through youth-based initiatives, academe linkaging, women networking, and barangay partnership among others.
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po Agua Infrastructura, Inc., DCWD’s partner in the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP), commended DCWD with the Kavontog do’t Aweg (Obu-Manuvu term for Hero of Water) Award for its Adopt-a-Site Project for its role in ensuring watershed protection and conservation. In particular, commended was DCWD’s efforts in Mt. Tipolog-Tamugan watershed - an identified water recharge zone for Tamugan River, Davao City’s next water source under the DCBWSP. Since its inception, DCWD has been implementing various projects to ensure the long-term security of Davao City’s water supply.
ADOPT-A-SITE PROJECT
Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Materials Production and Dissemination Complementing all DCWD’s water conservation efforts are IEC materials disseminated to customers and stakeholders.
Standing by its mission to take a proactive role in environmental concerns, DCWD has always been committed to be at the forefront of safeguarding the water sources in Davao City. Among DCWD’s strategies is the Adopt-a-Site Project, a multi-sectoral approach for the protection and rehabilitation of Mt. Tipolog-Tamugan, Mt. Talomo-Lipadas, and Malagos watersheds. In said project, various organizations, companies, agencies, groups, or individuals donate a counterpart share being one with DCWD’s advocacy to help ensure the sustainability of water supply in Davao City through watershed rehabilitation. For Mt. Tipolog-Tamugan and Mt. Talomo-Lipadas watersheds, the adopters subsidize the reforestation and maintenance efforts thru monetary donation; and For Malagos Watershed, the participation of various sectors is non-monetary in nature wherein adopters conduct tree planting and maintenance activities in the reservation area.
DCWD will continue its commitment of advocating water conservation as Davaoeños’ way of life and protecting Davao City’s watersheds to continuously provide for the water needs for the present and future generations.
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Water News
us: Water ards
Kavontog do’t Aweg or Hero of Water Award by the Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc.