Crystal Flow September - December 2018

WHAT’S INSIDE?

Editor’s Note

From the GM’s Desk

Bulk water facilities construction kicks off

LWUA confers special awards to DCWD

DCWD is FOI Champion among WDs

DOH confers DCWD with WSP acceptance certificate

DepEd commends DCWD for promoting quality education

Back-to-back ISO Audits

DCWD hosts first ever stakeholders assembly for water safety

Vehicles donated to 22 Mindanao WDs

Adopt-a-Site Project welcomes two adopters in Mt. Tipolog-Tamugan Watershed

DCWD celebrations

Personnel

Sta. Ana Central and PhilSci top quiz contests

Employees collect 9,900 kilos of plastic waste

Six school-based envi initiatives awarded

150k plumbing materials donated to two schools

Free medical services in six upland barangays

DCWD taps women group to be Water Patrols

Envi protection orientation for DCWD scholars

2018 18-day campaign to end Violence Against Women

2018 Customer Satisfaction Survey

ABOUT THE COVER

DCWD seals the year with a K.I.S.S. (Knowledge, Integrity, Solidarity, and Success) through its various activities and accomplishments aimed towards excellent service with dignity and honor.

CRYSTAL FLOW

Crystal Flow is the official publication of Davao City Water District. It recounts the transparent and high quality service of DCWD.

No part or whole of this magazine may be printed without prior approval.

VISION

Best and gender-responsive water and wastewater service provider with utmost care for the people and the environment.

MISSION

We commit to supply potable and affordable water 24 hours a day, provide wastewater treatment services, operate efficiently, take a proactive role in environmental concerns and keep a competent workforce.

CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY

Service with Dignity and Honor

Our ISO 9001: 2015 Quality Policy

To attain Customer Satisfaction, Davao City Water District is committed to do the following:

● Provide drinking water that is safe, affordable and adequate;

● Ensure services at a high standard;

● Efficient management of operations, complying with all pertinent regulatory and statutory requirements;

● Continually improve the effectiveness of its quality management system adopting risk-based thinking at all times to meet changing customer expectations and business climate.

EDITORIAL BOARD

RUTH G. JABINES Editor-in-Chief

JOVANA CRESTA T. DUHAYLUNGSOD Managing Editor

JAMAE CONCEPCION G. DELA CRUZ

Copy Editor

KATRINA BELEN M. ROBLE

Features Editor

JONAS A. CAPUTE JR.

Art Editor

SHAIRA ANGELICA S. MAGNO

CAMILLE MARGARETTE U. SOLON

Editorial Assistants

JERELL J. LEONIDA

Circulation Manager

the accolades for remarkable accomplishments in terms of Freedom of Information, water safety, certification standards, stakeholder partnerships, customer satisfaction, and celebration of people and events.

Noteworthy are the successful campaign to turn plastic wastes into school chairs and the tapping of the youth arm to cause a multiplier effect to the community in terms of raising awareness and concern for the environment.

Other highlights include the back-toback awards and certification, the active participation in the 18-day campaign to end violence against women and children, and the result of the Customer Satisfaction Survey for 2018.

- a very good reason for celebrating and living its beauty, excellence, and reverie for the 45 years in operation.

So we end the year with a bang!

Not from a .45 caliber pistol but from a caliber of seasoned service that outstands others while maintaining our stand to give the people of Davao City the best water service they deserve.

RUTH G. JABINES Officer-in-Charge, Community Relations and External Affairs Department publicinfo@davao-water.gov.ph

The relentless hard work and dedication of the women and men of DCWD to efficiently serve the people of Davao City are the trump card that secures DCWD’s position as the leading local water district in the country. Along this line, we end 2018 on a high note as our pursuit for a better version of the water district has paid off.

Putting premium value to our services has earned us recognitions in the fields of transparency, water safety, certification standards, and corporate social responsibility. These recognitions from various institutions validate the quality of service we render to our customers as we consistently raise the bar higher in the conduct of daily operations. Through this manner, we are assured that our goals and objectives are met as planned.

As we continue to celebrate our 45 years of service, we in DCWD can say that we become “more fortified at forty-five”. Akin to a .45 caliber pistol intricately made to precisely hit the target, so is our 45 years of experience in the water industry that serves as a solid foundation to give the people of Davao City the best water service there could ever be.

Sealed with a KISS

We rely on our strength as we paved the way for a more sustainable water supply in Davao City. We inspire our employees to be the best they can be in order to do the things they ought to do – the DCWD way. That is to share one vision and one heart to become a model water district —a water district that serves the best interest of Davaoeños, progressing as the only choice water service provider in Davao City.

As we sail on to 2019, we are sealing 2018 with a KISS, the Knowledge, Integrity, Solidarity, and Success — the unmitigated ingredients that fortified DCWD’s army in bringing forth the caliber of service above par through the years.

ENGR. EDWIN V. REGALADO General Manager

Bulk water facilities construction kicks off

Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc., Davao City Water District’s partner in the development of the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project, ceremoniously kicked-off construction of the bulk water supply facilities last November 26, 2018. This was attended by President Rodrigo R. Duterte and the DCWD team headed by Chairperson Eduardo A. Bangayan.

With the construction of the intake facilities, hydroelectric power plant, water treatment plant, and treated water pipelines underway, Apo Agua is on track to supply around 300 million liters of treated bulk water per day to DCWD.

In preparation, DCWD has been laying the transmission and distribution lines and constructing the storage facilities that will distribute the treated bulk water to around a million customers in DCWD’s Calinan, Cabantian, Dumoy, Panacan, and Tugbok water supply systems and would-be Talandang, Mandug, and Indangan water supply systems.

In his speech during the ceremony, President Rodrigo R. Duterte expressed the importance of steady and reliable water service. “I have always believed that access [to] safe and drinking water is a fundamental right that must be enjoyed by every Filipino family so that they may lead healthy, dignified, and productive lives,” the President said.

Further, he also emphasized the impact of the project not just in water service provision but as well as in espousing strong collaboration between government agencies and private

entities. “It [the project] will not just address the increasing demand for a steady and sufficient supply of potable water for the city, but also demonstrates the success of partnerships between the government and the private sector in effecting real changes in our communities,” he explained.

Among these positive changes are the foreseen benefits of the bulk water project. Aside from water supply sustainability for the city, the project will also allow DCWD to rest 45 of its 65 production wells, giving the aquifers the opportunity to recharge, thus preventing the harmful effects of groundwater over extraction.

The bulk water project is one of the many programs of DCWD’s masterplan to provide adequate and safe water for the identified development centers in Davao City. Other programs include improvement and expansion projects in Binugao, Lubogan, Toril, Riverside, Wines-Baguio, Malagos, Gumalang, and Tamugan. These areas are not covered by the bulk water supply project.

Pipelaying and construction of storage facilities under Part B of the bulk water project

Shaira Angelica S. Magno

President Duterte (mid) leads the construction kick-off of the bulk water supply facilities of the Part A of the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project in Brgy. Gumalang. With him are (from L) Aboitiz InfraCapital President and CEO Sabin M. Aboitiz, Chairperson Bangayan, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei B. Nograles, and JV Angeles Construction Corp. CEO Kathryn Patricia V. Angeles.

LWUA confers special awards to DCWD

Davao City Water District is among the water utilities conferred with special awards by the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) during the LWUA-Water Districts Forum and Awards 2018 at the Philippine International Convention Center on September 17, 2018.

DCWD received the Big Brother Award in recognition of its technical assistance and other means of support to smaller water districts to help improve their customer service and expand their operations.

The other award is in recognition of DCWD’s Department of Health (DOH) - Accredited Water Testing Laboratory. More than a symbol of compliance to DOH Administrative Order No. 2006-0024 or the Rules and Regulations Governing the Accreditation of Laboratories for Drinking Water Analysis, the award seals DCWD’s commitment to ensure public health safety.

DCWD is FOI Champion among WDs

The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) awarded Davao City Water District as the 2018 Freedom of Information (FOI) Champion under the Local Water Districts category for its significant contributions to the FOI Program’s progress and development. The award was conferred on November 28, 2018 at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila during the 2018 FOI Awards.

It marks DCWD’s second consecutive recognition from the PCOO, the lead agency in the FOI implementation in the Executive Branch. In December 2017, DCWD was cited as the first water district to go on board the e-FOI portal.

Said award recognizes DCWD’s efforts to uphold transparency in public service through easy-access to information that may be needed from the agency.

DCWD FOI committee members Engr. Jonalei E. Bermudez and Jade C. Veloso (mid & 2nd from R) receive the award from PCOO Secretary Jose Ruperto Martin Andanar (2nd from L), PCOO Asst. Secretary Kristian Ablan (R), and PCOO Undersecretary George Apacible (L).

GM Regalado (R) receives the awards from LWUA Administrator Jeci A. Lapus.

GM Edwin V. Regalado received the awards on behalf of the DCWD Board of Directors and management.

Jamae G. Dela Cruz

Jamae G. Dela Cruz

with

acceptance certificate

The Department of Health presented Davao City Water District with the Certificate of Water Safety Plan (WSP) acceptance during the culminating event of the World Environmental Health Day celebration on September 26, 2018 in Quezon City.

Receiving the certificate on behalf of DCWD were Director Ma. Luisa L. Jacinto, Director Charmalou D. Aldevera, Watershed Management Chief Lorna M. Maxino, and Water Quality Division Manager Hydie R. Maspiñas.

DCWD is among the 29 water districts that have complied with DOH Administrative Order 2017-0006 or the Guidelines for the Review and Approval of the Water Safety Plans of Drinking – Water Service Provider.

Its WSP was given an 89.80% overall recommendation by the evaluators from DOH, Local Water Utilities Administration, and World Health Organization.

DepEd commends DCWD for promoting quality education

Davao City Water District received a plaque of commendation from the Department of Education Region XI (DepEd XI) as a partner in promoting quality education to schools in Davao City. DepEd XI conferred the award on December 12, 2018 at the Matina Town Square Pavilion.

On behalf of the DCWD Board of Directors and management, Community Relations and External Affairs Department Officer-inCharge Ruth G. Jabines received the award from Senior Education Program Specialist Jonas P. Piore of DepEd - Davao City Division. She thanked DepEd XI for recognizing DCWD’s long-standing support in the promotion of the right to quality education.

Commended were the comprehensive scholarship programs to elementary, high school, and college students; educational supplies provision to students in upland communities; and plumbing skills trainings for teachers and out-of-school youth. All these are under the Education Portal of DCWD’s Corporate Social Responsibility Program implemented since 1993.

By providing access to education, DCWD continues to acknowledge the importance of literacy as a way to improve one’s life.

Dir. Jacinto, Dir. Aldevera, Engr. Maxino (5th, 4th, and 3rd from R, respectively), and DvM Maspiñas (5th from L) accept the certificate from the Department of Health.

CREAD OIC Jabines (L) receives the award from Senior Education Program Specialist Jonas P. Piore (R) of the Department of Education - Davao City Division.

Camille Margarette U. Solon

Jamae G. Dela Cruz

BACK-to-BACK ISO Audits

As part of its continuing efforts to ensure customer satisfaction for service excellence, Davao City Water District has undergone back-to-back audits for two ISO certifications in the last quarter of 2018.

For ISO 9001:2015, TÜV SÜD PSB Philippines audited DCWD’s Provision of New Service Connection (NSC) in its Matina office on October 29, 2018 and November 15 and 16. Said certification would validate that DCWD’s Quality Management System (QMS) is at par with international standards ensuring customers that the products and services on processing NSC consistently meet customer and regulatory requirements, thereby maintaining excellent customer satisfaction.

The external audit was done in two stages to evaluate the readiness and full implementation of the QMS. In the exit conference, DCWD received an attestation letter for the conduct of the audit and was recommended for certification.

In a separate development, DCWD’s Water Meter Calibration Laboratory (WMCL) underwent a surveillance audit on November 8 to 9, 2018 to ensure continued conformity and compliance to ISO 17025:2005 and the Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB) conditions for laboratory accreditation in the field of calibration.

The audit is needed to continue the validity of the Certificate of Accreditation granted to DCWD on October 26, 2017 until October 25, 2022, proving that the water meter calibration laboratory is at par with international standards and assures customers of accurate and reliable water consumption reading.

In the surveillance conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry-PAB, the auditors checked and validated the religious implementation and maintenance of the WMCL’s QMS.

By 2020, DCWD eyes to transition its laboratory operations to the ISO 17025:2017 standard. These undertakings were backed with full support from the DCWD Board of Directors and management as well as the full commitment of the NSC and WMCL QMS core teams. In the lead for both certifications were the Commercial Services Department manager Roberto S. De los Reyes who serves as both the Quality Management Representative (QMR) and Water Meter Laboratory Executive Director and Water Meter Maintenance Division Manager Dennis A. Maningo who serves as the Deputy QMR and Water Meter Laboratory Quality Manager.

(from R) Water Meter Laboratory Quality Manager Maningo and Executive Director De los Reyes sit down with the surveillance auditors from DTI-PAB.

(From L) NSC Unit Supervisor Rogel O. Deduyo and Deputy QMR Maningo assist Auditor Pamela Maye Gunay during the conduct of stage one external audit.

The WMCL QMS Core Team poses with the internal auditors and DTI-PAB Assessment Team headed by Technical Expert Roxan Roxas (2nd from R) after the completion of the two-day surveillance audit.

The NSC QMS Core Team with GM Edwin V. Regalado (seated, 4th from L) and AGM-F Mildred G. Aviles (seated, extreme L) pose with TÜV SÜD PSB Philippines auditors Pamela Maye Gunay, Marijane Comaling, and Erna Jessa Mundoc (seated, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th from L, respectively) after the conduct of stage two external audit.

Camille Margarette U. Solon and Katrina Belen M. Roble

DCWD hosts first ever stakeholders assembly for water safety

Davao City Water District hosted the first ever Water Safety Plan (WSP) Stakeholders Assembly on November 21, 2018 at the Davao Convention Center with around 120 participants in attendance from national and local government units and agencies, private institutions, civic and civil organizations, the media, and other interested personalities.

Themed “Water: Let’s Keep It Safe”, among the objectives of the assembly is to communicate DCWD’s WSP to the stakeholders who are directly and indirectly involved in DCWD’s operation from the water sources, treatment/ storage, distribution, and customers.

On behalf of DCWD, Dir. Ma. Luisa L. Jacinto thanked all the participants for their presence and emphasized the importance of their contributions to help DCWD become an efficient drinking water service provider. She said that through the WSP, DCWD identified and prioritized risks and established control

measures to better manage the quality of water. However, its efficient implementation needs the active involvement of the stakeholders.

GM Edwin V. Regalado expounded on the strategies of the plan to prevent intrusion of natural and manmade physical, chemical, and microbiological water hazards; prevent contamination during production, storage, distribution, and handling of drinking water; and to ensure that the final quality of water delivered to the customers passes the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water.

One of the guest speakers was Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) Acting Administrator Jeci A. Lapus who commended the efforts of DCWD for being the first water district in the country to conduct a stakeholders assembly.

With the Department of Health (DOH) as the oversight agency in the crafting and implementation of WSP among water districts, DOH Region XI

Director Annabelle P. Yumang also congratulated DCWD for accepting and acting on the challenge to safeguard the quality of water.

To effectively discuss the plan, invited speakers World Health Organization Technical Officer Bonifacio B. Magtibay and DOH Supervising Health Program Officer Maria Sonabel S. Anarna both gave an overview on water safety in the country while DCWD division managers Heidy O. Palencia, Ronald A. Muñoz, and Hydie R. Maspiñas discussed in detail the contents of DCWD’s WSP. Maspiñas is also the team leader in the crafting of the plan.

Capping the event was a commitment pledge to seal DCWD’s and the stakeholders’ action plans to safeguard the water quality in Davao City. Both DCWD and the stakeholders already have established relationships in carrying out activities relating to water provision and its safety. The assembly served as an avenue to further strengthen these ties.

Participants of the first Water Safety Plan Stakeholders Assembly pledge their support by giving their respective commitments to ensure the safety of water from source, treatment/storage, distribution, and customers.

DCWD Dir. Jacinto (extreme L) calls for the support of the participants in keeping the water safe for the Davaoeños and GM Regalado (2nd from L) toasts for stronger collaboration with stakeholders to unite efforts to keep the water safe in Davao City while LWUA Administrator Lapus and DOH Region XI Director Yumang (2nd and 1st from R, respectively) commend DCWD’s initiative to conduct a stakeholders assembly, a first in the country, to unite all efforts to ensure quality water.

Jovana Cresta T. Duhaylungsod

Vehicles donated to 22 Mindanao WDs

Living up to its recognition as a Big Brother, Davao City Water District donated 22 second hand service vehicles and seven motorcycles to 22 water districts all over Mindanao. The signing of Deed of Donation was held on October 3, 2018 at DCWD’s main office.

Among the recipients was Tarragona WD receiving two service vehicles. Barobo, Claveria, Comval, IGACOS, Kapatagan, and Marawi WDs each received one service vehicle and one motorcycle.

Likewise, Antipas, Asuncion, Banganga, Bansalan, Braulio Dujali, Damulog, Kibawe, Midsayap, Mlang, Norala, Pigcawayan, Tagbina, Tagoloan, and Tupi WDs each received one service vehicle while Tubod-Baroy WD received one motorcycle.

GM Edwin V. Regalado said that DCWD has always been responsive to the call for aid in any form or capacity from other water districts to support their operations. He hoped that with the donated vehicles, the recipients can better respond and cater to the needs of their respective customers.

Dir. Helen D. Paguican who sits as Chairperson of the Board Property Committee added that Davao is one with the Mindanao water districts’ desire to be of service to the country. On behalf of the recipients, Metro Midsayap WD GM Carol S. Tolentino thanked DCWD for the donation and other technical assistance.

Dir. Paguican (standing, 3rd from R) and GM Regalado (seated, 4th from L) lead the signing of the Deed of Donation on October 3, 2018.

Jamae G. Dela Cruz

Adopt-a-Site Project welcomes two adopters of Mt. Tipolog-Tamugan Watershed

Davao City Water District welcomed two new adopters for the Mt. Tipolog-Tamugan Watershed Adopt-a-Site Project in the last quarter of the year in its efforts to protect and rehabilitate the future major surface water source in the city.

As adopters, they pledged to donate PhP12,000 per year for five years for every hectare of land adopted to subsidize the cost of planting, maintenance and rehabilitation programs in the adopted sites. The remaining cost is funded by DCWD.

Adopting five hectares was Phoenix Philippines Foundation, Inc. (PPFI) after signing the Memorandum of Agreement with DCWD on November 21, 2018.

PPFI Senior Vice President for External Affairs

Atty. Alan Raymond T. Zorilla emphasized that the adoption is a symbol of thanksgiving for the continued partnership in making a difference in the communities. The foundation had adopted five hectares in DCWD’s project site in Mt. TalomoLipadas Watershed and completed its pledge in 2017.

Next to seal their commitment to adopt 50 hectares was DCWD’s partner for the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project, Apo Agua Infrastructura Inc., on November 26, 2018 during the construction kick-off of the Part A of the bulk water supply project. This undertaking will be using the Tamugan River found in the Mt. TipologTamugan Watershed to supply around 300 million liters of water per day to most of Davao City.

Apo Agua General Manager Cirilo C. Almario III stated, “We at Apo Agua are dedicated to this cause of protecting and rehabilitating Davao City’s watersheds to ensure the long-term security of our water supply.”

For DCWD, this partnership will not only forge stronger relations between DCWD and Apo Agua but will also mean stronger and bigger efforts to secure the Tamugan River.

It can be recalled that on September 13, 2017, DCWD entered into an agreement with the Obu Manuvu Tribe of Davao City to add 50 more hectares on top of the 316 hectares of project site inside Mt. Talomo-Lipadas Watershed. This addition prompted the opening of said watershed for the Adopt-a-Site Project.

(From L) CREAD OIC Ruth G. Jabines and OIC of the Office of the AGM for Operations Rey C. Chavez ceremoniously ink the memorandum of agreement with PPFI Corporate Affairs Manager Beethoven Sur and Senior Vice President for External Affairs Zorilla.

(From R) Office of the AGM-O OIC Chavez, CREAD OIC Jabines, and GM Edwin V. Regalado sign the memorandum of agreement with Apo Agua GM Almario, President Roman V. Azanza III, and Community Relations Officer Jade Hazel D. Gamas.

Shaira Angelica S. Magno & Camille Margarette U. Solon

DCWD CELEBRATIONS

LIP SYNC BATTLE

Sta. Ana Central and PhilSci top quiz contests

Francis Alfonzo R. Sitchon of Sta. Ana Central Elementary School and Revien L. Rodriguez of the Philippine Science High School-Southern Mindanao Campus were declared as champion for the Davao City Water District Science and Math Quiz Contest for elementary on November 19, 2018 and junior high school on November 26, 2018, respectively.

Both would advance to the regional eliminations hosted by the Southern and Central Mindanao Water Information Council, Inc. in preparations for the national competition to be hosted by the Philippine Association of Water Districts.

In second place for the elementary level was Veronica Paige T. Tagoon of Doña Pilar Learning Center Foundation, Inc. while John Christian G. Idoy of Colegio de San Ignacio, Inc. placed third.

For the junior high school, Davao City National High School’s John Romar Lanoy finished in second place and Holy Child College of Davao-Jacinto Campus’ Samantha Erika S. Cimini in third place.

All placers were awarded with cash prizes and all contestants received certificates and customized IEC materials. Forty students from public and private schools all over the city participated for each level.

The quiz contests held at Abreeza Mall aimed to raise awareness on the importance of water and water resources. Thus, with the theme kNOW H2O, the questions focused on water facts, trivia, computation, and laws covering water districts. Representatives from the Department of Education and Department of Science and Technology composed the Board of Evaluators.

Both events were among the activities for the citywide Water Consciousness Month celebration in November with DCWD as the lead agency per Proclamation No. 12 issued on September 27, 2001 by Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte.

Elementary level champion Sitchon (mid), second placer Tagoon (L), and third placer Idoy

JHS level champion Rodriguez (mid) with second placer Lanoy (L) and third placer Cimini

Jamae G. Dela Cruz & Shaira Angelica S. Magno

Quizzers in the JHS level answer questions about water facts, trivia, computation, and laws covering water districts.

Employees collect 9,900 kilos of plastic waste

Katrina Belen M. Roble

Through the concerted efforts of 16 employees who joined the 2Big Ambassador contest, Davao City Water District was able to collect around 9,900 kilos of plastic wastes, which will be recycled into school chairs and donated to elementary schools in DCWD’s watershed project sites.

The 16 employees representing different DCWD departments spearheaded the collection of plastic wastes in DCWD offices, their respective households and communities, and in some recreational venues.

Awarded as the 2018 2Big Ambassador for collecting the most quantity of plastic wastes totalling to 3,115 kg. was Heide G. Acero of the

Production Department, followed by Fred C. Garado of the Pipelines and Appurtenances Maintenance Department with 2,433 kg., and Alexander John B. Viray of the Information and Communications Technology Department with 2,171 kg.

All contestants were recognized and awarded for their efforts during the employees convocation on December 3, 2018.

Said contest is under the DCWD 2Big Campaign which utilized various information dissemination strategies to promote DCWD’s services, operations, and advocacies while encouraging employees, schools, agencies, barangays, and women groups to donate plastic waste materials.

Six school-based envi initiatives awarded

Camille Margarette U. Solon

Davao City Water District awarded six school-based environmental initiatives during the #YouthActTayo Campaign culmination on December 12, 2018 at the Matina Town Square Pavilion.

From the elementary category, the winning schools were Malagos Elementary School SPED Center with their project entitled TRASHformation 2.0, Lacson ES with Buhay Iligtas, Herbal Garden Pagyamanin, and Wines ES with Plastic Wrappers in the Plastic Bottle.

As for the high school category, the winners were Emilio J. Estipona NHS with their project SAF for the Poor (Sustainable Agriculture Farm), Maria Cristina P. Belcar Agricultural HS with

Ugmaran sa mga AGRIAN: An Eco-Garden Project, and Lower Tamugan NHS with Project OrCoGa (Organic Containerized Gardening).

The #YouthActTayo Campaign was launched in April 2018 as an offshoot of DCWD’s Youth ECOngress. Around 14 schools submitted their entries that promote environmental protection and rehabilitation with forestbased, organic agriculture, energy and water conservation, marine resource management, pollution control, and education and advocacy concepts.

All entries were evaluated based on environmental benefits, sustainability, replicability, and innovation by leading environment proponents in the city.

Throughout the implementation, project updates were uploaded to #YouthActTayo Facebook page for wider information reach. Malalan ES and Tambobong NHS won the Trending Award for the most number of engagements. Cash prizes and plaques were awarded to the winners while all participants were given certificates of recognition and customized promotional materials bearing environment protection messages.

Community Relations and External Affairs Department OIC Ruth G. Jabines (3rd from R) leads the recognition of the winning schools.

2Big Ambassador champion Acero (mid), first runner up Garado (L), and second runner up Viray (R).

DCWD staff haul sacks of donated plastic wastes during the November monthly collection.

1) Buhay Iligtas, Herbal Garden Pagyamanin by Lacson ES; 2) TRASHformation 2.0 by Malagos Elementary School SPED Center; 3) Plastic Wrappers in the Plastic Bottle by Wines ES; 4) SAF for the Poor (Sustainable Agriculture Farm) by Emilio J. Estipona NHS; 5) Project OrCoGa (Organic Containerized Gardening by Lower Tamugan NHS; 6) Ugmaran sa mga AGRIAN: An Eco-Garden Project by Maria Cristina P. Belcar Agricultural HS

150k plumbing materials donated to two schools

Around PhP150,000 worth of plumbing materials were donated to Don Enrique Bustamante National High School and Cabantian NHS on November 14, 2018.

DCWD aims to help these schools provide better plumbing training and education since these materials are intended for the students enrolled in the plumbing courses under the technical vocation track of the K-12 program of the recipient schools.

Office of the AGM for Operations OIC Rey C. Chavez emphasized

Free medical services in six upland barangays

Six upland barangays benefit from the free medical services provided for by Davao City Water District in partnership with the City Health Office (CHO) and Davao Medical School Foundation thru the Dagayday sa Barangay

In total, 1,500 residents in barangays Tungkalan on July 5, Daliaon Plantation on July 12, Cadalian on July 25, Carmen on July 31, Marilog on August 8, and Tambobong on August 16 availed of the free chest x-ray, complete blood count, urinalysis, blood pressure reading, and routine check-ups. For Marilog and Tambobong, subdermal contraceptive implants and pregnancy tests were available for the women, family planning counseling for couples, and malaria tests for everyone.

To complement all the free medical services, the beneficiaries also received free vitamins and medicines from DCWD and lugaw from the City Government of Davao.

On behalf of all beneficiaries, the barangay council heads expressed their sincere gratitude to DCWD for bringing basic health services to the upland communities.

The conduct of this activity was among the highlights of the 25th year anniversary of DCWD’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program in time for the CSR month celebration in July.

The Dagayday sa Barangay is DCWD’s annual program that provides assistance and services to partner communities and People’s Organization residing within DCWD’s project sites for its Integrated Watershed Management Program.

the importance of teaching the students household plumbing in order to further curb down water wastage caused by leaks.

The donation reinforces the plumbing trainings provided by DCWD in partnership with the Department of Education to 39 senior high school teachers and Training of Trainers plumbing methodology to 35 teachers. DCWD is slated to donate more plumbing materials to schools that offer plumbing courses in 2019.

The DCWD team headed by the Office of the AGM for Operations OIC Chavez (mid on top photo) turns over various plumbing materials to the recipient schools.

Community Relations and External Affairs Department OIC Ruth G. Jabines (3rd from L) turns over vitamins and medicines to Tungkalan Barangay Captain Hipolito L. Castañares (2nd from R).

Brgy. Marilog

Brgy. Cadalian

Daliaon Plantation

Brgy. Tungkalan Brgy. Carmen

Shaira Angelica S. Magno

Katrina Belen M. Roble

DCWD taps women group to be Water Patrols

Davao City Water District tapped women representatives from various barangays in the city to become part of DCWD’s Water Patrol program, which aims to create information multipliers among different sectors to disseminate timely and accurate updates on the water utility’s operation, services, and advocacies.

The discussion was conducted in time for the general assembly of the Davao City Association of Women and Environment in the Barangay (WEB) and WEB CommunityBased Organization held September 15, 2018. Aside from the members of the WEB, in attendance were the women representatives from barangays 1 to 40-D.

Community Relations and External Affairs Officer-in-Charge Ruth G. Jabines acknowledged the significant roles that the WEB plays in DCWD’s community relations and development projects in rural and urban barangays. In the same manner, OIC Jabines also challenged the WEB to contribute in further strengthening DCWD’s public information campaigns.

Among the highlights of the event were the benefits of DCWD’s Water Patrol. Public Information/ Relations Division Officer-in-

Charge Jovana Cresta T. Duhaylungsod discussed that the proactive engagement of the WEB in reporting water concerns and disseminating updates on water services will help DCWD improve its operation.

“Women are the most affected when it comes to water issues. Thus, it is very important that their concerns are heard and acted on. Since DCWD already has around 220,000 service connections, DCWD needs the help of its customers, specifically their feedback and reports to improve its services,” OIC Duhaylungsod explained.

The participants were then asked to become part of the growing Water Patrol Facebook group where they can directly report any matters relating to water concerns including illegal water connections and get information on water service interruptions, office schedules, and DCWD service updates.

The assembly aimed to mainstream gender responsiveness in the communities by empowering women to be proactive leaders in addressing gender-related issues including the strengthening of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene programs in their respective localities.

Envi protection orientation for DCWD scholars

Tulong Aral ng DCWD scholars attended the environment protection orientation organized by Davao City Water District on November 29, 2018 at Boss Carreon Event Hall in Malagos.

The activity which formed part of the 18th DCWD Goes to School Project was part of the learning and development component of the scholarship program to strengthen the partnership between DCWD and the scholars on advocating for watershed protection and rehabilitation.

In attendance were 100 grade six student achievers from Malagos Elementary SPED School and Baguio, Baracayo, Bartolome, Cadalian, Gatungan, Gumalang, Lacson, Malalan, Marilog, Quezon, Tambobong, Tamugan, Tawan-Tawan, Tungkalan, and Wines elementary schools.

DCWD speakers discussed relevant topics relating to Davao City’s watersheds, water cycle, water conservation, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH). For their part, the participants and their moderators pledged to fulfill their roles as stewards of the environment.

All students and teachers received customized promotional materials bearing various environment protection and water conservation messages.

CREAD OIC Jabines taps the Women in the Barangay and women representatives from barangays 1 to 40-D to become information multipliers in disseminating timely and accurate updates on DCWD’s operation, services, and advocacies through the Water Patrol program.

Women representatives discuss various concerns relating to water services in their barangays during the workshop.

The scholars participated in the various workshop activities.

Katrina Belen M. Roble

Shaira Angelica S. Magno

The scholars pledge their commitment for water conservation and environment protection.

Camille Margarette U. Solon