Crystal Flow 2022 January - April

PRODUCTIVITY despite austerity

After2022 and 2021, what’s next? This was a resounding question that greeted us as we welcome 2022. We could already claim that we had survived a pandemic in our lifetime, but we continue to be hounded with uncertainties as the threat of COVID-19 remains imminent. On top of that, we had to continue to navigate the severely impacted economic environment.

Our 2021 performance had been rewarding considering the challenges we had to hurdle, but DCWD is not known to pause to appreciate its laurels, especially that the need to recover and work double time to accomplish our projected targets is very high.

Steering us to this direction is the new leadership under GM Mildred G. Aviles whose track record as the AGM for Finance and AGM for Administration is a perfect fit for the ever-changing needs of the organization, customers, and stakeholders post pandemic. And, the first order of business was certain: implementing austerity measures.

For some, the austerity measures connote limitation. But, for DCWD, this became an opportunity to rise to the occasion with our grit, resilience, innovation, and adaptability. And all these were evident in the first quarter compilation of our achievements.

Highlighting these accomplishments is the operation of four additional production wells that significantly improved water supply availability in several barangays and the continued development of additional infrastructure projects to complement the upcoming Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project following the extension of the availability of the P2B loan.

Added to these were the significant strides in the Septage Management Program as the Davao City Council approved the reclassification and change of zone requirement to move forward with the construction of the first ever government-owned Septage Treatment Plant in Davao City.

Our commitment to promote our advocacies were not left in the sideline as we continued celebrating relevant global and national celebrations, championing environment protection and Gender and Development, and fostering relations with our community partners.

And, despite the challenges we were in, we extended assistance to Mindanaon cities, municipalities, and provinces that were impacted by typhoon Odette.

Every day is a learning experience for all of us and we continuously work on improvements for the convenience of the people we serve. And, we are proud that we started the 2022 exceeding expectations.

RUTH G. JABINES Editor-in-Chief Manager, Community Relations and External Affairs Department publicinfo@davao-water.gov.ph

CHALLENGING TRANSITIONS

Inthe words of American author Jack Gantos, “Anyone can be great under rosy circumstances, but the true test of character is measured by how well a person makes decisions during difficult times.” And, after surviving a pandemic, we have had our own share of challenging times.

For other businesses, the next best choice is to terminate operations and wait for the economy to stabilize. For water utilities such as DCWD that play a crucial role in ensuring access to safe and affordable water, quitting or a temporary respite from its obligations is not an option. On the contrary, the stakes are higher.

I commend the leaders that had come before me for building a strong DCWD that withstood the test of times. But, I think, everyone would agree that nobody prepared us with what we have been facing since the pandemic hit the world. There was no playbook in any field designed for this purpose.

Though 2022 marked the start of my being a full-fledged General Manager, I am no stranger to its operation. After all, I have spent most of my lifetime in DCWD and I have seen it evolve as it saw me transition to leadership roles in administration, finance, and, on several occasions, as Acting GM.

In my long years in DCWD, I have not seen the need to implement austerity measures until now. And, I thank the strong workforce of DCWD for embracing this new normal. It was a difficult transition, specifically, to schedule funding and prioritize projects, especially for a water utility that is always embarking on various development programs.

Indeed, it was a balancing act between keeping us all afloat while making sure that we continue with our direction in ensuring water supply sustainability for Davao City, a strong global metropolitan in the making.

Despite all these, our mandate remains clear, and this served as our beacon that has been guiding us towards our vision. And, no matter how small or big, the challenges that we have been facing constantly are merely distractions in this journey.

Thus, let’s continue to strive and work on our goals. We have survived several transitions and a pandemic. And, we did so, not in silos, but as “one” DCWD.

General Manager

ogm@davao-water.gov.ph

davaowater@yahoo.com

MILDRED G. AVILES, CPA, DM-HRM

Four new water sources to improve water service in the 3rd District

Katrina Belen R. Bongato

DCWD recently commissioned four new water sources and their complementary facilities in February to April 2022. The new water sources are among the interventions to help augment and improve water supply in DCWD’s Calinan, Malagos, Riverside, and Tugbok Water Supply Systems (WSS) and address the intermittent water supply in areas that experience low water pressure to no water especially during peak hours demand.

The completed projects were Talandang Production Well (PW) 1 with three elevated steel tanks at 500 cu.m. capacity each, Calinan PW 3 with Calinan Reservoir 2 at 1,500 cu.m. capacity, Riverside PW 3 with two existing reservoirs at 680 cu.m. capacity each, and Tugbok PW 9. The combined additional supply that the new production wells can provide is at 14,988 cu.m. per day. Complementary to these new sources and storage facilities were 8,382 meters of pipelines.

With these new sources, DCWD implemented operational adjustments to ensure efficient water supply distribution and to maximize the additional supply to benefit more service connections. DCWD also strengthened its strategies to reduce non-revenue water or water loss. Among these strategies were water pressure management and intensification of leak detection, monitoring, and repair activities. Subsequently, DCWD has resumed the acceptance

of New Service Connection

Application in Riverside and Tugbok WSS Main and Sub-System B.

DCWD assures customers that it is actively working on various infrastructure development projects and operational adjustments to continue improving water service in the city.

Talandang PW 1 and elevated steel tanks

Calinan PW 3 and Calinan Reservoir 2

Loan availability extended for more expansion projects

Camille Margarette U. Solon

DCWD

is granted the loan availability extension worth Php 2B until March 31, 2023 by the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP). With the extension, DCWD will continue with the implementation of the Php 371M-worth of remaining infrastructure works of Part B of the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP).

The Php 2B loan with a five-year grace period was approved in July 2015 to be used for pipeline improvement and construction of reservoirs and complementary facilities.

The loan availability extension would allow DCWD to continue with the remaining projects under Part B which include the interconnection works for Panorama Reservoirs; pipeline improvement works in Calinan, Tugbok, Communal Road, and Davao-Agusan Road; and pipeline expansion works along Indangan-Acacia Road and Barangays Talomo River, Biao Joaquin, Wa-an, Tigatto, Mandug, and Talandang.

The approved extension was inked thru the Amendment of Term Loan Agreement on April 11, 2022. GM Mildred G. Aviles, AGM for Finance Bernadette A. Dacanay, and AGM for Operations Richard D. Tumanda signed for DCWD while Senior Assistant Vice President Jay Art C. Galache signed for DBP.

The DCBWSP is a joint undertaking between Apo Agua Infrastructura Inc. and DCWD. Apo Agua will cover the water extraction and treatment works while DCWD will take care of the distribution of the treated water to customers.

Once operational, the bulk water supply will provide at least 300 million liters of potable water per day to most of DCWD’s water service coverage areas.

DBP Senior AVP Galache (2nd from L) hands over a token of appreciation to GM Aviles (mid).

(From L) GM Aviles, AGM-F Dacanay, and AGM-O Tumanda sign the Amendment of Term Loan Agreement with DBP representatives.

The 19th City Council approved on its third and final reading an Ordinance granting the application of DCWD for Land Use Reclassification on January 11, 2022. The approved reclassification and change of zone requirement from Industrial and Agri Non-Tillage to Waste Management Zone is for the 3,300 square meter property at Malagamot Road in Brgy. Indangan where Davao City’s first Septage Treatment Plant (SpTp) will be constructed.

With the approval, DCWD can already proceed with the design and construction of the100 cubic meter per day SpTp once the public bidding for the project becomes successful. GM Mildred G. Aviles expressed

her gratitude to the City Council headed by Vice Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte for the favourable action.

Earlier in May 2021, the City Council enacted City Ordinance No. 0588-21 authorizing the City Mayor to enter into and sign the MOA for the septage aspect of the Septage and Sewerage Management Ordinance. The MOA was signed in July 2021 with the City Government of Davao charged with the duty to administer and enforce the provisions of the Septage and Sewerage Management Ordinance and its IRR and DCWD to construct, operate, and maintain SpTps.

Davao City’s first Septage Treatment Plant underway

Jamae G. Dela Cruz

DCWD signed the project contract with winning bidder J Z Aguiba Construction and Technical Services, Inc.,- AIMM Builder and Construction Supply - Joint Venture for Davao City’s would-be first septage treatment facility on March 30, 2022 at DCWD Matina Office. GM Mildred G. Aviles with AGM for Technical Services Oscar C. Dela Cruz signed for DCWD while Authorized Managing Officer James H. Liong signed for the Joint Venture.

The project with a total contract amount of Php242.1 million covers the design and construction of a state-of-the-art septage treatment plant with 100 cubic meter per day capacity at Malagamot Road, Brgy. Indangan. The project site has an area of around 3,300 square meters, which was recently approved by the 19th City Council for reclassification to Waste Management Zone. The construction will commence within this year and is expected to be completed by 2023.

The Septage Treatment Plant forms part of the Davao City Septage Management Program (SMP), a joint undertaking between DCWD and the City Government to address the sanitation problems of the city due to improper disposal of wastewater. The SMP is the City Government’s compliance to the Philippine Clean Water Act that imposes upon local governments to share the responsibility in the management and improvement of water utility within their territorial jurisdiction. It provides that in areas where there are no sewerage systems, water districts or water utilities may adopt SMP or other sanitation alternatives.

Through the Davao City SMP, DCWD will be able to offer sanitation services to the people of Davao City starting in 2023.

GM Aviles (mid) with AGM for Technical Services Dela Cruz and winning bidder Authorized Managing Officer Liong (L) sign the project contract for the design and construction of Davao City’s would-be first septage treatment facility.

Managing under austerity

Jamae G. Dela Cruz

DCWD has put austerity measures in place amidst declining trend in funds availability due to the increase in operation expenses, post-pandemic economic uncertainties, among others. Despite this, the DCWD Board of Directors, management, and employees committed that productivity and service delivery would not be compromised.

In response to the ongoing conditions, the departments reviewed their respective programs, projects and activities (PPAs) for the year to prioritize those that directly contributed to the reduction of NRW and generate revenue.

Likewise, payment of operational expenses was prioritized such as debt services, electricity, chemical, fuel, and contracted operating expenses together with personnel services. As funds became available, the non-priority PPAs were reevaluated and approved for implementation based on necessity.

Other measures were put in place to help manage the available funds. DCWD had temporarily suspended the opening of permanent positions and hiring of additional project-based workforce. Procurement of regular capital expenditure including service vehicles and office equipment was also deferred until the financial status recovered.

In their own simple ways, the employees further boosted the austerity measures. They conserved electricity and water, optimized use of office supplies, limited overtime services, and the likes.

DCWD may have to wrestle with tight budgetary constraints for some time, but it will continue to serve the Davaoeños with dignity and honor.

World Water Day and National Women’s Month celebrations

Katrina Belen R. Bongato

DCWD

celebrated World Water Day and National Women’s Month in March through a series of awareness-raising activities. These activities form part of DCWD’s commitment to ensure water resources protection and sustainability while promoting women empowerment and gender equality.

World Water Day (WWD)

Anchoring on the WWD 2022 theme

“Groundwater – Making the Invisible Visible”, DCWD hosted the IN-FLOW Facebook Live that featured DCWD’s major projects aimed to protect Davao City’s water resources on March 15 and 22, 2022.

Discussed during the first session was Davao City’s Septage Management Program (SMP), a joint undertaking between the City Government of Davao and DCWD to help address the water pollution problem of the city. For the second session, featured was the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP) in partnership with Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. that will tap Tamugan River as surface water source and provide 300 million liters of water per day to DCWD.

Seventeen FB Live audience who answered the questions correctly during the Question and Answer portion each won PHP 300 worth of e-load.

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Streamers for both celebrations are displayed at the offices’ façade to raise awareness of the celebrations.

Host Camille Margarette U. Solon (top) discusses with Engineering Department Manager Christine Suyom-Guarde on the SMP’s necessity, implementation plan, and progress of the program.

Host Katrina Belen R. Bongato (top) interviews Monitoring and Evaluation Unit Supervisor Cherry Gay J. Hidalgo about the DCBWSP’s components, necessity, benefits, and updates on the Part B by DCWD.

Tree planting for the Earth Day

Patrick Jay O. Bautista

DCWD conducted its 12th Employees’ tree planting activity on April 22, 2022 along Tamugan River within the Mt. Tipolog-Tamugan Watershed in celebration of the 2022 Earth Day with the theme “Invest in our Planet”

The tree planting activity was headed by the Environment and Watershed Protection Division. Thirty-three employees from different departments planted 360 Malobago cuttings and 60 seedlings along the riverbank.

The activity forms part of DCWD’s Integrated Watershed Management Program under its strategies to ensure water resource sustainability and inclusive development of the watershed.

Bannering the theme “Agenda ng Kababaihan, Tungo sa Kaunlaran”, DCWD celebrated the NWM through various Information, Education and Communication campaigns to highlight significant contributions for and of women, empowerment of all women, and promotion of gender equality.

#GADToKnow NWM brochures featuring the 105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law were distributed in DCWD offices and collection centers. To further increase awareness online, DCWD shared a video on its women empowerment programs and info materials on the NWM celebration on its Gender and Development official Facebook Page (www. facebook.com/DCWDGAD). Employees also signified their support thru use of the celebration profile photo frames, participation in Purple Fridays, and decoration of spaces with anything purple.

Community Relations and External Affairs Department Manager Ruth G. Jabines (extreme R) leads the tree planting.

(Top) DCWD employees participate in Purple Fridays and (bottom) a customer receives a #GADToKnow NWM brochure.

DCWD and FFCCCII join Odette relief efforts

Jamae G. Dela Cruz

DCWD

in partnership with the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) Southern Mindanao joined the relief efforts facilitated by the City Government of Davao for areas all over the country affected by typhoon Odette.

DCWD donated 6,624 pieces of 500ml bottled water while the FFCCCII gave 2,000 pieces of food packs. In addition, the FFCCCII donated 517 pieces of water gallons with 20-ml capacity and DCWD filled up the containers with water.

DCWD and FFCCCII handed over the donations on January 20, 2022 to the Office of City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte who gratefully acknowledged the support to the ongoing relief efforts.

DCWD Chairperson of the Board of Directors and FFCCCII Director for Southern Mindanao Eduardo A. Bangayan extends utmost gratitude to the FFCCCII Associated Organizations for the generous assistance that made the relief efforts possible and paved the way for the immediate delivery of the relief goods to the affected areas. He also thanked the City Government of Davao for being FFCCCII’s and DCWD’s partner in the distribution of relief goods. Likewise, GM Mildred G. Aviles thanked the DCWD employees who volunteered to repack the relief goods.

In a separate undertaking, DCWD gave around 30,000 pieces of 500ml bottled water to various organizations conducting Odette-relief operations. It also provided water to volunteer groups hauling water to the affected areas.

The FFCCCII also made separate donations of relief goods and blankets to other cities and provinces under the leadership of Director Bangayan. The distributions were facilitated by the respective Local Government Unit-recipients.

DCWD Chairperson and FFCCCII Director for Southern Mindanao Bangayan (3rd from L) with GM Aviles (L) turns over the relief goods to the City Government of Davao represented by Mr. Sanoy (4th from L) on January 20, 2022.

Clean drinking water from DCWD

DCWD employees repack the relief goods.

2,000 packs of relief goods from FFCCCII and DCWD

W.A.T.E.R. Ambassadors lead online WaSH orientations

Katrina Belen R. Bongato

TheW.A.T.E.R. (Well-rounded, Action-driven, Tenacious, Environment-conscious, and Responsible) Ambassadors of DCWD conducted a series of online orientations on January 14, 18, 19, and 28, 2022 aimed to inform, educate, and communicate to the youth the importance of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH).

The online series was participated in by around 350 students from the partner schools of Tulong Aral ng DCWD educational support program schools particularly in Baguio, Bartolome, Cadalian, Gatungan, Kidali, Luyan, Malagos, Malalan, Marilog, Quezon, Rosalia Aglay Ayag, Tambobong, and Wines elementary schools; Ampon, Cadalian, Calinan, Camansi, Emilio J. Estipona, Marahan, Tambobong, Tungkalan, and Upper Tamugan national high schools; and Baguio National School of Arts and Trades; Baracayo Integrated School; Elias P. Gumalang School of Home Industries; and Lacson Integrated School.

The same virtual activity was held on October 28, 2021 and participated in by students from Maria Cristina P. Belcar Agricultural High School.

Topics focused on the importance of WaSH in relation to water quality, solid waste management, risk factors, and other practices and the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle).

The W.A.T.E.R. Ambassadors, who are also DCWD’s college Indigenous Peoples scholars, served as resource persons. They were Princess Ericka Pagayao, Johanna Paula Macasaet, Jomart Ano, Geevah Sumalpong, Hannah Sajid, Louie Jay Libuit, Marry Lee Dancel, Jessa Mae Olarte, Honey Jade Ambe, Daren Jay Okay, Lady Sarah Ingay, Jane Rose Miones, and Donna Mae Baon. DCWD capacitates

and empowers the ambassadors to become effective in leading as the water utility acknowledges the significant roles that the youth play in the society as future leaders.

Aside from lectures, participants shared their learnings and action steps to advocate WaSH in their respective households and communities.

The online series is among the awareness-raising activities under DCWD’s Corporate Social Responsibility Program which aims to help beneficiaries become well-rounded members of society.

W.A.T.E.R. Ambassador Macasaet imparts the importance of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.

W.A.T.E.R. Ambassador Pagayao explains legal bases on solid waste management.

New General Manager Mildred G. Aviles

Jamae G. Dela Cruz

DCWD welcomes Mildred G. Aviles as its new General Manager.

The appointment of GM Aviles is effective on May 10, 2022 shortly after her designation as the Acting General Manager on January 1, 2022. She is the 7th full-fledged general manager of DCWD who would serve until December 31, 2024.

A Certified Public Accountant, GM Aviles has extensive experience in financial management. She joined DCWD in 1984 as financial analyst and rose through the ranks with her promotion as accountant in 1989 then as chief of the Cost and Budget Unit in 1992. The following year, she became the manager of Accounting Department then cross-posted to Systems and Internal Audit and Finance and Property Departments.

In July 2009, she was designated as OIC of the Office of the Assistant General Manager for Administration enriching her expertise in budgeting, human resource management, and customer service. She was appointed as the first Assistant General Manager for Finance in 2017 until designated as the Acting General Manager with the retirement of GM Edwin V. Regalado.

GM Aviles holds a degree of Doctor of Management in Human Resource Management from Ateneo de Davao University. She is married to artist Vicente Aviles and has one son, Vincent Paul.

GM Aviles took her oath of office before Chairperson Eduardo A. Bangayan and the members of the Board of Directors on June 8, 2022 at DCWD Matina office.

GM Aviles (2nd from L) takes her oath of office before Chairperson Bangayan (L). With them are (from R) Dir. Helen D. Paguican, Vice-Chairperson Maria Luisa L. Jacinto, and Dir. Romel Alfredo R. Ruiz.

Beyond GAD Attribution (Part 1 of 2)

Hope D. Olivo

Water is essential in addressing gender issues. It has the potential to save lives, stimulate economic growth, keep children in school, and expand possibilities for women and men. Poor water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) may exacerbate the condition of the marginalized sectors limiting their ability to move up the opportunity ladder.

Addressing gender issues is vital. It is significantly linked to access and control of resources and equal opportunities for women and men which greatly affect their gender relations or position in society. For this reason, addressing gender issues has become a global mandate as part of fulfilling human rights.

With this, DCWD has been conducting Gender Analysis (GA) to consult its external clients on water-related gender issues. GA has been DCWD’s instrument in attributing its projects to Gender and Development (GAD) budget. But over and above that, DCWD has been improving its conduct to ensure that GA is conducted beyond just GAD attribution.

Gender Analysis of DCWD in 2022 has levelled up to more substantial activities, with the aim of strengthening its developmental programs:

1. Collection of Sex-disaggregated Data (SDD) is intensified.

• Collection of SDD is optimized this year. The Corporate Planning Department included the collection of SDD in the conduct of one of its major surveys. As a result, DCWD now has significant SDD that could be used during the analysis of water-related gender issues.

2. Participatory Approaches Tools are customized according to the water sector.

• Tools used in GA are the Harvard Gender Analysis Tools and the WASH tool. Data can be overwhelming if administered as is. With this, the GA team customized the tool by delimiting its questions to water-related concerns. This not only allowed the GA team to focus on water-related gender issues that are in accordance with the mandate of DCWD but also be efficient in processing data in the context of water.

3. GA Team is recapacitated before the conduct.

• The GA team attended various training on GAD provided by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) to update their knowledge and skills in conducting GA. They also consulted a PCW GAD Resource Pool and simulated the administration of the tools to ensure proper conduct of the tools and methodologies.

4. Areas/barangays with no to less water supply are prioritized.

• Before, the consideration of selecting target areas for GA are those with a bigger number of projects to ensure that such projects will be attributed to GAD. But this year, the main consideration is those barangays with no to less water. With the evaluation of the Pipelines and Appurtenances Department, DCWD selected target areas for GA and ensure more gender-responsive water service projects in that barangays.

5. Presence of technical personnel during the conduct is included.

• Technical personnel or those involved directly in the implementation of infrastructure projects are part of the GA team during the conduct. Through this, the respondents will be able to receive updates on DCWD projects in their area and will be able to receive answers to their technical queries. This serves as additional assistance, especially in far-flung areas.

Moving towards its 50th year in the water industry, DCWD strives to improve its GAD implementation through diversified approaches; all for one goal of inclusive development of all it serves.

The GAD Unit prepares for the conduct of Gender Analysis during the second semester.