DCWD Crystal Flow 2011 January - June

Vol. XIX No. 1

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF DAVAO CITY WATER DISTRICT

JANUARY-JUNE 2011

what’s

INSIDE?

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Editor’s Note From the gm’s Desk Daghang Salamat, gm Dora!

DCWD successfully hosts 32nd PAWD confab dcwd’s mainline replacement project progresses dcwd launches Ties Core Values Rotary taps dcwd for follow-up of its water well project 10 International Watershed Youth Forum held 11 dcwd extends Mt. Tipolog-Tamugan and Talomo-Lipadas watershed rehabilitation projects 12 4 dcwd Scholars finish college and 5 new added 13 Councilor Abella lauds wmyc’s Eco-camp 14 jcpii and parrcom-dar back dcwd’s Adopta-Site Project

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

15 DCWD celebrates World Water Day 16 Strengthening ties in the midst of change 18 dcwd’s 2nd Grand Awards Night celebrated 19 Personnel 21 Legally Speaking 22 dcwd rehabs Turtle Sanctuary thru Lawig 5 23 dcwd’s gender scan methodology presented to water districts

Readying for fire 24 Think God 25 In the Name of the Father 26 For Naknak 27 Watershed folks train on Financial Management 28 Ties Powers DCWD 30 Games 31 Did You Know That...

EDUARDO A. BANGAYAN Chairman ATTY. ELISEO R. BRAGANZA, JR. Vice-Chairman MA. LUISA L. JACINTO Secretary ATTY. ABDUL M. DATAYA Member ATTY. CHARLEMAGNE B. ALDEVERA Member TOP MANAGEMENT RODORA N. GAMBOA General Manager ENGR. EDWIN V. REGALADO AGM for Operation MILDRED G. AVILES OIC - AGM for Administration DEPARTMENT MANAGERS JEANETTE M. DELINO Electronic Data Processing

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PAQUITO C. EBERO Commercial ENGR. EXEQUIEL B. HOMEZ Operation & Maintenance IMELDA T. MAGSUCI Community Relations & External Affairs ENGR. NOEL C. MONTAÑA Production ARIEL L. NOBLE Corporate Planning ROBERTO S. DELOS REYES General Services

Vision

CRYSTAL FLOW

To be the best and most efficient water utility in Asia, providing quality water at reasonable cost and excellent service, satisfying its customers, employees and the community, and ensuring water resource sustainability.

The official publication of Davao City Water District Your contributions are welcome at the DCWD Public Information / Relations Division Office.

Mission

We commit to supply potable and affordable water 24 hours a day, deliver reliable service, operate efficiently and take a proactive stance in environmental concerns.

Corporate Philosophy Service with Dignity and Honor

No part or whole of this newsletter will be printed without prior approval.

about the

COVER

The cover reflects the will of the Davao City Water District family to remain united and adamant to continue the flow of its impeccable service to the whole of Davao City even in the midst of change.

This issue’s contributors: Jason J. Demonteverde Atty. Bernard D. Delima

ERRATUM Amidst all considerable efforts to assure the accuracy of all data included in the June – December 2010 issue of Crystal Flow, some errors have slipped our meticulous eyes. This erratum serves to correct these mistakes.

We offer our sincerest apologies to Engr. Exequiel B. Homez for not having been included in the list of promoted employees from Officer-in-Charge to Department Manager of Operations and Maintenance Department; to Atty.

Richard D. Tumanda for not having been included in the Manager’s box as the Manager of the Legal Department, and for Ariel L. Noble whose designation still appeared as OIC instead of Department Manager of the Corporate Planning.

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January – june 2011

ATTY. RICHARD D. TUMANDA Legal BERNADETTE A. DACANAY OIC, Finance & Property ENGR. OSCAR C. DELA CRUZ OIC, Engineering & Construction HILTON P. HUSAIN OIC, Accounting & Budget RUTH G. JABINES OIC, Human Resource ENGR. ARNOLD P. SARABIA OIC, Systems & Internal Audit ENGR. ROSANNA VICENTA T. CABANAG Non-Revenue Water Management Office

Crystalflow Vol. XIX No. 1 January-June 2011

Editorial Board editor-in-chief MARIA EDITHA C. MONJE associate editor MADONNA C. LLAGUNO copy editor ENGR. REYNALDO M. PETALCORIN news editor JENNIFE D. BORONG features editor RUTH G. JABINES religion editor FIDELA M. DAJAO circulation chief JERELL J. LEONIDA artist CHARISSA V. MANALANG adviser IMELDA T. MAGSUCI

editor’s note

Triumph in Style

T

he Davao City Water District has had a very hectic and challenging start in the year 2011. Yet, everybody in the water utility braved all of these tests with much enthusiasm.

This issue is a recollection of how the DCWD family succeeded in facing these challenges while keeping true to its NICER agenda and earning recognitions along the way.

It recounts how the District has successfully hosted the 32nd PAWD convention with the collective efforts of all DWCD employees, the prestige it garnered after having won back to back during the PAWD awards night, the linkages it made with DENR, NCIP and the Obu-Manuvu Ancestral Domain Council of Elders and Leaders that have helped extend its environmental protection campaigns in the watershed areas of Mt. Tipolog-Tamugan and Mt. Talomo-Lipadas, the addition of more adopters in its Adopt-a-Site project and how it showed appreciation to its loyal and outstanding employees.

This issue also updates on the progress of the water utility’s Comprehensive Mainline Replacement Project (CMRP) and the graduated and new set of DCWD scholars. Other must-read articles include the launching of DCWD’s TIES core values during the managers and employees forum and the various community extension projects it accomplished on its own and with other agencies.

As the second half of 2011 starts to unfold, the water utility readies everyone for another roller-coaster ride. However, not a tinge of fear or doubt mars the heart of the DCWD family as the months of public service ahead deserve nothing but excellent fulfillment of the NICER agenda.

MARIA EDITHA C. MONJE publicinfo_dcwd@yahoo.com

January – june 2011

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from the gm’s desk

United in the Midst of Change

C

hanges are inevitable. They happen no matter how we all try to stop them.

Whether they are things we wish or dread, only one thing is certain: we must all be able to stay firm and determined as ever.

The first half of 2011 proved to be a challenge for all of us as the Davao City Water District has had one of its major changes. With this, it is foreseen that the second half will also not become trivial. As much as we want to take time to gather ourselves from whatever losses and problems we experienced, we have responsibilities that we need to face.

More than anything else, we should always be reminded that we are all here bound by one vision and one mission. We answer to the people we serve, the people in Davao who rely on us for the most basic commodity known to men. We must not forget that our lives here in the District have been dedicated to ensure potable, quality, affordable and constantly available water.

The District has overcome a number of challenges in its years of operation.

And, this was accomplished through the untiring and collective efforts of every director, manager, supervisor and rank and file employee that compose DCWD. Needless to say, this is the most opportune time for us to become more united in order to ensure that we still continuously fulfill Building NICER TIES with everyone.

Thus, let us continue to incorporate Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence and Stewardship in whatever we do for DCWD and there is no doubt that we will all be able to achieve our five-point agenda of Non-revenue water reduction, Infrastructure development, Customer satisfaction, Environmental protection and Resource management.

Cheers to the good and fruitful years ahead!

RODORA N. GAMBOA

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water news

Daghang Salamat,

GM Dora!

GM RNG, always in nicer ties with everyone

by Maria Editha C. Monje

T

o name a few, common impressions and observations of her are: ‘bright, good natured, focused, calm, simple, hardworking, humble, empowered, sweet, strong, patient, amazing’.

Indeed, GM is a well-rounded person, the type that’s hard to find.

That is why the DCWD family and the outside community hold her with respect and high esteem.

Engr. Rodora Mallari Navarro Gamboa is Davao City Water District’s fifth general manager appointed by the DCWD Board of Directors. She is the youngest GM at the age of 44, and the first female ever to hold the highest position.

With GM Gamboa leading the 1,021 strong workforce, spirits and morale are high. Confidence is strongly felt because one is assured that everyone gets his or her fair share of tasks, opportunities, commendations and even reminders.

They say that it is a fact, and not just a belief that the name of a person defines her destiny. GM Dora is an explorer and the letters in her name clearly speak of her persona. D for determined and diligent, O for outstanding and organized, R for resourceful and resilient, and A for amiable and active.

She listens to both sides of the issue and owing to her being observant and intuitive, she makes sound and practical judgments that are beneficial to all without her losing her composure, patience and tact at every trial.

Dory or Titot to family and Dora to friends and associates, the petite GM was born on April 1, 1963 in Manila. She went to the Assumption School of Davao for her elementary and high school education and to the University of Mindanao for her chemical engineering degree and masteral studies. She was a consistent honor student all throughout.

However, this amazing boss is reputed to be multi-talented and there’s nothing that she could not easily handle with precision and remarkable results.

Aside from being a licensed chemical engineer, GM Dora is also an information technology expert, a corporate planning specialist, a human resource authority, and above all, a general manager and leader in every sense of the word.

Despite her very busy schedule, Dora still finds time to spend q u a l i t y time with her family and even cook for them, husband Dr. Randy Gamboa and two children, RJ now a professional and Joyjoy in second year college.

Aside from being a technical person, she is also into the arts. Singing is her passion and composing songs comes naturally as a gift.

She plays the keyboard and guitar.

GM is also an athlete who excels in volleyball and running but can also hurdle basketball and other sports like a pro.

For the betterment of DCWD, she is not afraid to go beyond the conventional if that is what it takes to accomplish a desired output.

Risks are part of the job, she says, and difficult decisions are made by her without her losing her popularity. Her strong faith keeps her going.

During her considerably short term as general manager of the largest and most progressive water district in the Philippines, Engr.

Gamboa has earned the respect of the water industry, and by the local and international communities as well.

DCWD has strengthened its nook in the international water scene, thanks to the efforts and perseverance of the lady GM. The Water Operators Partnerships that she has amiably forged with Malaysia and The Netherlands have become a milestone not only for DCWD but for the Philippine Association of Water Districts, the larger water district family that has recognized DCWD’s capability as expert in reducing nonrevenue water. DCWD’s godfather role has also expanded beyond the region.

But the name of GM Rodora Gamboa is best equated with the five core challenges collectively known as the NICER agenda which she meticulously prepared as guide for all DCWD employees. The agenda has since formally been directing them towards enacting the lifetime goals of the District which are non-revenue

to page 13

January – june 2011

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water news

DCWD successfully hosts nd 32 PAWD confab

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he Davao City Water District successfully hosted the 32nd national convention of the Philippine Association of Water Districts last February 9-12, 2011 at the Grand Men Seng Hotel in Davao City. It was the biggest annual assembly to date but through DCWD’s efficient preparation, the PAWD convention succeeded in highlighting the theme “Water Matters” and convening all water districts for the cause of improving water utility services in the country.

First day saw the pipefitting contest held at the Rancho Palos Verdes Clubhouse. Being the host, the DCWD opted not to join the competition. Out of the nine teams that competed, declared winners were General Santos City WD in first place, Alaminos WD in second, and Sorsogon City WD in third. The contest embodied perfection amidst hard work and harsh conditions, representational of the untiring efforts of all water utilities to improve their respective services.

On the second day, DCWD director Maria Luisa R. Jacinto did the honors of cutting the ribbon to open the exhibit of 46 different services and products related to the improvement of water district operations. With her were DCWD chair Eduardo A. Bangayan, PAWD chair Edwin N. Makasair, PAWD president Nestor P. Villasin and PAWD Ways and Means chair Esther T. Vengco.

The opening ceremonies of the convention followed shortly with Department of Public Works and Highways secretary Rogelio Singson as the keynote speaker. He stressed the importance of environmental protection, heightened campaign against illegal logging and continued integrity of public service as the keys for water supply sustainability and water utility service improvements.

Held after was the general assembly of directors and general managers. Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) Board of Trustees Chair Prospero A.

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January – june 2011

Pichay presented updates regarding LWUA operations while PAWD Chair Makasiar gave PAWD reports. Part of the program was Government Banking Sector Senior Vice-President Alfonso C Tanseco briefing participants on the LUWA-PNB MoA. Concurrent with the assembly was a watershed youth forum attended by 46 high school students coming from different provinces and cities in the country with special participation of Ryan Yuen, director of the International Water Association in the East Asia and Pacific. The forum aimed to solicit active involvement from the youth sector in watershed protection and rehabilitation. The participants also trooped to Davao River to take and test water samples.

Day two was concluded with a lively fellowship night by the shore of the Waterfront Insular Hotel. Participants of the convention were entertained by performances of water district employees, managers and directors. It was also during this event that the general managers of the water utilities in Mindanao launched the MAWD hymn.

The last day of the convention was intended for the technical discussions. Different authority speakers imparted their expertise on non-revenue water reduction, sanitation, gender and water, to page 9 Water Sustainability. Hon. Rogelio L. Singson (middle), DPWH secretary, receives plaque of appreciation from DCWD Board chair Eduardo A. Bangayan for being the keynote speaker in the opening ceremonies of the 32nd Philippine Association of Water Districts National Convention. Assisting him are (from right) PAWD chair Edwin N. Makasair, PAWD president Nestor P. Villasin and PAWD secretary Carlos N. Santos.

water news DCWD’s CMRP excavation and pipelaying works. Project areas for pipelaying and excavation works regarding DCWD’s comprehensive mainline replacement program along E. Quirino avenue are isolated to minimize inconvenience to the public.

DCWD’s mainline replacement

project progresses

D

avao City Water District’s Comprehensive Mainline Replacement Program (CMRP) that started December last year and expected to finish within 270 calendar days is already making progress. Pipelines belonging to the biggest water system of DCWD, the Dumoy water system, are the main focus of the CMRP. Areas covered are C.M. Recto, Elpidio Quirino, R. Castillo, Lapu-lapu Street, R. Magsaysay Avenue, Sasa Road (km. 11-13), and Sasa Wharf Main Road.

As of June 14, 2011, update of massive engineering and technical works for the excavation and pipelaying in the seven areas are as follows: at C.M. Recto, 91% of the 200mm diameter Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipeline and 78% of the 200mm diameter Black Iron (BI) pipeline have already been completed; at R. Castillo, 86% of the 400mm diameter Mortar Line Coated Steel Pipe (MLCSP) and 77% of the 300mm diameter MLCSP have already been done; at R. Magsaysay, 91% of the 200mm diameter PVC pipes and 100% of the 200mm diameter B.I. pipes have already been accomplished; at E. Quirino, 86% of the 150mm diameter PVC pipes and 52% of the 150mm diameter B.I pipes have already been completed; at Sasa Wharf, 80% of the 200mm diameter PVC pipes and 80% of the 200mm diameter BI pipes have already been done; and, at Sasa Road, 8% of 150mm diameter PVC pipes and 100% of the 150mm diameter B.I pipes have already been finished.

The CMRP is composed of a series of operations. The project

starts with the excavation and pipelaying phase. After this, the pipes would need to undergo backfilling and compaction, then hydrostatic and leak testing. Once the pipes have been tested, they would need to be disinfected. After which, newly re-piped lines need to be to tapped or interconnected to transmission / existing lines. Lastly, the damaged pavements have to be restored. C.M. Recto is already in the last segment of hydrotesting. In R. Castillo, the excavated concrete pavements were already restored. In R. Magsaysay, service connections have already been installed in preparation for the tapping. The E. Quirino project is already ready for tapping while the tapping at Sasa Rd. was already accomplished last May 29 this year.

DCWD and outsourced company Vinhar Construction and Marketing closely work hand in hand to make sure that the project does not cause much trouble to the public and it gets completed on time. All works are done at night to prevent traffic problems during the day considering that the project covers some of the major transportation routes of the city. Any activities in the project sites that sometimes happen in the morning are only meant for housekeeping purposes.

Once the CMRP is completed, DCWD customers will reap all the benefits as the main goal of the project is to help reduce nonrevenue water to further improve water distribution in the city. (jovana cresta t. duhaylungsod) s January – june 2011

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water news

DCWD launches

T I E S

teamwork

integrity

excellence

stewardship

core values

D

uring the annual management and employees fora held in March, the Davao City Water District launched its core values collectively coined TIES which stands for Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence, and Stewardship. This is a strategic response to the ‘matuwid na daan’ service call of President Benigno Simeone Aquino III targeting effective, efficient and honest rendering of public service.

TIES was formulated in a special workshop held last year by selected employees to strengthen the NICER agenda of the utility. The latter stands for Non-revenue water reduction, Infrastructure development, Customer satisfaction, Environmental protection and Resource management, all of which direct DCWD’s efforts towards continuous quest for excellent public service. The launch was done during the fora held in 11 batches in March at the D’ Leonor Hotel.

GM Rodora N. Gamboa explained that the NICER agenda and the TIES core values are in harmony in inspiring and guiding the workforce to steer the water utility to becoming Asia’s best provider of high quality and affordable water.

Maximum benefits to the general welfare of their customers and serious environment care are the primordial concern of DCWD, she added.

Annual management and employees fora are one of the tools employed by the DCWD Board and management in order to keep the employees abreast with the accomplishments, plans and programs of the utility. Such a tool has been proven to be effective through the years as DCWD continuously reap achievements in various fields. Among its recent major awards and recognition are: Best Integrated Watershed Management (2011), “Crystal Flow’ as best company publication in the entire association of water districts throughout the country (2007, 2009 and 2010), high customer satisfaction rating (2009), and many more. (edmarson m. sola) s

Launching of DCWD’s TIES core values.

The Davao City Water District launches TIES, the water utility’s core values that all employees should embody. TIES stand for Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence and Stewardship.

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January – june 2011

water news

Rotary Taps DCWD for follow-up of its Water Well Project

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ast January 25, 2011, the Davao City Water District together with the Rotary Club WalingWaling handed out PHC bottles and educational materials to school heads in Bongbong in Panacan, and Paaralang Elementarya ng Binugao Sentral and Sirawan Beach Elementary School in Toril during Rotary’s follow-up visits to the recipients of its Water Well Project. Present were Rotary Club Waling-Waling previous president Zony Reyes, current president Rose Yngente and DCWD representatives from the Production Department, Alma Canson and Bernadine Redulla.

Said project, which was implemented in 2009, was funded by the Rotary Club of Hanover with Rotary Club Waling-Waling as the implementing agency. Six city areas identified to have no available water sources were provided with their respective artesian wells.

Even during the implementation stage, Rotary had already tapped DCWD to help educate the recipient communities of the different methods used to purify water considering that water coming from artesian wells is not safe to drink. The residents were taught how to treat water using materials that are readily available such as chlorine used for washing clothes.

As part of the completion of said project, Rotary again asked assistance from the District to help the residents of the community asses if their treated water is already potable, thus the distribution of PHC bottles. These bottles contain peptone meat, dipotassium hydrogen phosphate, sodium thiosulfate and ferric ammonium citrate and can be used to test whether water is safe or not. Water samples are placed inside the bottles and are left for twenty-four hours. If the water discolors, this means that water is not safe to drink. However, whether discoloration occurs or not, residents were advised to submit a feedback regarding what happens to their water samples. The feedback will then be given back to the DCWD. Together with the bottles were guides

32nd PAWD... from page 6 water quality and energy efficiency in jam-packed ballrooms of Men Seng hotel. The event became a melting pot of strategies for the improvement of water-related services considering the shared knowledge among 905 delegates from different water utilities in the country with foreign visitors from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Japan, Nepal, Singapore, Vietnam and the United States.

The Awards Night cum closing ceremonies concluded the convention. Service awards were given to general managers and directors of the different water utilities in the country whose services have reached milestone years. Other recognitions given were Best Integrated Watershed Management Plan and Best Publication. The DCWD bagged the first place spot of both contests. It also made another history having won both contests

Community Service. Representative resident (middle) from Brgy.

Bongbong in Panacan receives PHC bottles and educational materials from present president Rose H. Yngente (2nd from left) and previous president Zony Reyes (2nd from right) of Rotary Club of Waling-Waling assisted by Alma Canson (extreme left) and Bernadine Redulla (extreme right) of the DCWD production department. on the proper way to conduct the testing.

However, the chemicals in the bottle can only be used once and the PHC bottles distributed were bought by Rotary for the residents. The DCWD suggested that the residents buy PHC bottles from the DCWD laboratory the next time they want to check if their water is safe which could be done once every month.

Also during the preliminary visits, Rotary gave lectures on how to avoid water borne illnesses and diseases. The lecture contents were strategically documented in the educational materials handed out during the follow-up visits. These education materials were in vernacular to facilitate easier comprehension. (jovana cresta t. duhaylungsod) s

on their maiden fetes. Trailing DCWD in the Best Integrated Watershed Plan were Bislig City Water District in second and Camarines Norte Water District in third. DCWD’s “Crystal Flow” was hailed as the 2010’s best in the search for magazine category.

Butuan City Water District’s “Breakwater” came in second and General Santos City Water District’s “Water Republic” in third.

As for the best publication award – newsletter, first place was “Tuburan” of Metro Iloilo Water District, “Danum Agus Ning Bie” of Mabalacat Water District, and “Tubig San Joseño” of San Jose del Monte City Water Districts.

The PAWD convention held in Davao City was one for the history books. More than anything else, it was able to elicit support from all participating water districts and other sectors and agencies. With this massive collective effort, a better future awaits water utilities in the country. (jovana cresta t. duhaylungsod) s January – june 2011

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water news the youth and the watershed. Clyde Saludar, former vice-president of the Watershed Management Youth Council, presents the success story of the WMYC in its active participation in protecting and conserving the watershed.

the youth and water quality. Ryan Yuen, director of the International Water Association in the East Asia and Pacific, and GM Rodora N. Gamboa emphasize the role of the youth in monitoring water quality with this tarpaulin.

Water Monitoring in Action. Students from the Philippine Science High School – Southern Mindanao campus apply their learnings in a workshop activity on water quality monitoring held at the bank of Davao River near the Anda-Magallanes intersection.

International Watershed Youth Forum held

Davao River Testing. Participants take water samples from the Davao River for water quality testing.

A

n International Watershed Youth Forum focusing on watershed protection and rehabilitation was successfully conducted on February 10, 2011 at the Grand Men Seng Hotel in Davao City. This forum was part of the 32nd Philippine Association of Water Districts National Convention and was attended by 46 high school students from the Davao Region and other provinces and cities in the country.

Student participants were also taught basic water quality monitoring in a workshop activity held on the same day at the bank of Davao River near the Anda-Magallanes intersection.

They collected water samples from the river and examined its quality using scientific test kits and technology demonstrated to them by Singaporean guest speaker Ryan Yuen, the director of International Water Association.

The forum aimed to educate the youth on the importance of watershed and their roles in its protection and conservation, and to encourage them to become prime movers of environmental measures. It also stressed the importance of water quality in all aspects of life.

In behalf of the active youth environmentalist group, the Watershed Management Youth Council, its former vice president Clyde Saludar encouraged the participants to be vigilant on environmental issues and to join the call in imposing sincere reforestation and water sources protection measures.(edmarson m. sola) s

Youth Power. Forty-six student participants from different schools in Davao and other cities show their support to the World Water Monitoring Day.

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water news

DCWD extends Mt. Tipolog-Tamugan and Talomo-Lipadas watershed rehabilitation projects

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n efforts to intensify and widen its campaign for environmental protection, the Davao City Water District has entered into two separate agreements that extended its rehabilitation projects in Mt. Tipolog-Tamugan and Mt. Talomo-Lipadas watersheds.

Last March 7, 2011, DCWD renewed its partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) XI for the protection and rehabilitation of Mt. Talomo-Lipadas watershed. This was signed by GM Rodora N. Gamboa and DENR regional executive director Jim O. Sampulna. “This undertaking is pursuant to the literal call of nature which we heed to sustain a balanced ecology. The DENR is encouraging different sectors to help the government revive the status of the forests and the watersheds just like what the DCWD is doing,” said Director Sampulna.

The next signings happened on April 7 and March 7 for the tripartite agreement among Davao City Water District, the Obu-Manuvu Ancestral Domain Council of Elders and Leaders and the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) Region XI for the water utility’s extension of its Mt. TipologTamugan watershed rehabilitation project in barangay Tambobong Baguio district for another 15 years. This was inked by GM Gamboa, NCIP XI regional director Atty. Leonor O. Quintayo, Mindanao Indigenous Peoples´ Conference for Peace and Development (MIPCPD) Chair Datu Joel Unad, Brgy. Tambobong barangay captain Exequil M. Salandao Sr., and tribal leaders Datu Samuel Gubat and Bae Nerza. Inclusion of NCIP XI made sure that the agreement upholds the rights and welfare of the partner tribe. Atty. Quintayo lauded DCWD’s efforts for coming up with holistic projects which do not only protect the environment but also offer livelihood support to tribal communities.

The watershed rehabilitation activities of DCWD started in the early 1980’s in Malagos through tree planting and in partnership with various sectors. In 1993, DCWD began implementing a more comprehensive, sustainable and community–based watershed rehabilitation program in the Mt. Talomo-Lipadas watershed area aimed at rehabilitating 530 hectares of land in the barangays of New Daliaon and Tungkalan in Toril District and Manuel Guianga in Tugbok district.

Two years later in 1995, after organizing people’s organizations in the host barangays, DCWD began planting indigenous trees. In 2001, DCWD saw the need to include outside help in order to help make their watershed and rehabilitation program a success. Thus, the water utility launched the Adopta-Site project. Then, on February 2, 2005, the MoA was signed for the initial five-year Mt. Tipolog-Tamugan partnership.

Aside from Adopt-a-Site, DCWD also employs other strategies which include actual tree planting, community organizing, reforestation, rehabilitation, protection and maintenance, monitoring and evaluation, information, education, communication (IEC) and advocacy, and linkaging and coordination.

With all these extensive efforts, DCWD was able to completely rehabilitate 530 hectares of land inside Mt. Talomo– Lipadas and 58 of the 316 hectares in Mt. Tipolog-Tamugan. In fact, DCWD’s watershed initiative in the three major watershed areas of Davao City was awarded as the Best Integrated Watershed Management by the Philippine Association of Water Districts during its 32nd convention held in Davao City in February.

A continuing DCWD and DENR XI partnership. GM Rodora N. Gamboa and DENR regional executive director Jim O. Sampulna seal partnership for DCWD’s reforestation inside Mt. Talomo-Lipadas watershed. With them are (from L) watershed management chief Lorna M. Maxino, DCWD - CREA department manager Imelda T. Magsuci, DENR Southern Mindanao technical director Emmanuel E. Isip and DCWD environment and watershed protection manager Anthony D. Miranda.

GM Gamboa said that DCWD does not want to become complacent despite the success of its rehabilitation efforts inside Mt. Talomo-Lipadas, Mt. Tipolog-Tamugan and Malagos. She added that the keyword for these linkages is ‘involvement’.

The DCWD needs to protect the watersheds for water resource sustainability. To be successful, it needs help from the immediate settlers of watershed areas and other agencies concerned. (jovana cresta t. duhaylungsod) s

January – june 2011

11

water news

4 DCWD scholars finish college and 5 new added

F

our Davao City Water District scholars graduated from the University of Southeastern Philippine last April 15, 2011.

Commencement exercises were held at the Davao Convention and Trade Center.

Gibson Macamay of the Bagobo Klata tribe, Ana Marie Geculi and Julius Lambac of the Obu Manuvu studied in the USEP Mintal campus, while Ramel Paragas in the USEP Obrero campus.

Ana Marie Geculi

Mr. Macamay earned a degree in BS Agricultural Business while Mr. Lambac and Miss Geculi finished degrees in BS Public Administration. Mr. Lambac said that the program was very instrumental in giving indigenous people the chance to earn college degrees considering that most of the people in the indigenous people community do not really see the Julius Lambac importance of education. Miss Geculi added that the struggles to keep up with the pressures of complying with the grade requirements were immense, yet it was all worth it. Mr. Macamay also stated the great privilege of being able to successfully finish as a DCWD scholar. Mr. Paragas, who finished BS Civil Engineering, was also very thankful for the opportunity given him. His father died during his first year in college and he would have not had the opportunity to proceed to tertiary education if not had been for DCWD’s generosity, he said. The three tribal scholars expressed profound gratitude to DCWD.

Gibson Macamay

Ramel Paragas

District added five new scholars for the 2011-2012 school year. These incoming freshmen students are tribal scholars Maljun Lambac and Veronica Binulang and non-tribal scholars Jeanette Datinguinoo, Krizzha Jan Diazon and Daniel Mediante. They complete the seven of the eight slots together with tribal scholar Rene Ca-a in 3rd year and non-tribal scholar Jade Anthony Delos Arcos in 5th year.

All the new scholars expressed their gratitude for having been chosen as recipients of DCWD’s educational financial assistance. In return, they promised that aside from prioritizing their studies, they will also actively support the water utility’s vision to ensure water resources sustainability and mission to take a proactive stance on environmental concern.

The DCWD Scholarship program is of two kinds, both of which provide the unprivileged but willing and deserving students to pursue tertiary education. The Tulong Aral sa Lumad accepts tribal students who wish to enroll in any course at the University of Southeastern Philippines Mintal campus while the Tulong Ninyo, Diploma Ko is for non-tribal students who will take engineering and computer technology courses at the USEP Obrero campus. DCWD, aside from paying for the tuition and The graduates agree that aside from gratitude for having all school fees, also provides all scholars financial assistance benefited from the DCWD scholarship program, they also wish amounting to P16,500 per semester. They receive textbook and to give something back to the water utility by making use of uniform allowance of P2,500 per semester. Every month for five their earned degrees to better themselves, their families and their months, non-tribal scholars get transportation allowance / stipend communities. In addition, they would also want to carry the of P1,200 and meal allowance of P1,600 while the tribal scholars, environmental protection advocacies of the District even in their being far from their families, get a housing allowance of P600 professional lives. aside from the P1,400 meal allowance and P800 transportation stipend.

To continue DCWD’s Proud DCWD non-tribal scholars. After signing their educational financial The DCWD Scholarship Program was scholarship contract for SY 2011-2012, non-tribal scholars (from assistance programs, the conceptualized in 1992 by then general L) Krizzha Jan Diazon, Jade Anthony Delos Arcos, Jeanette manager Danilo L. Gil and Director Cynthia Datinguinoo and Daniel Mediante show their contracts as proof R. Dacanay and a year later, the first batch of of their being “DCWD Tulong Ninyo, Diploma Ko” scholars. scholars were accepted. In 2003, the District saw the need to add a separate scholarship program, thus the DCWD tribal scholarship program was instituted. However, it was only in 2005 that the first batch of scholars enjoyed the benefits of this financial assistance.

Since then, six tribal and 27 non-tribal scholars have already graduated with four previous grantees now working for the water utility. Presently, there are seven scholars including five new ones who filled the vacated slots of those who recently graduated and those who were not able to comply the scholarship requirements. (jovana cresta t. duhaylungsod) s

12

January – june 2011

water news

Councilor Abella lauds

WMYC’s eco-camp D

avao City councilor and environment and natural resources committee chair Marissa Salvador-Abella expressed her full support to the three-day Eco Camp of the Watershed Management Youth Council (WMYC) held last April 8-10, 2011 at the DCWD Malagos house. This environment youth congress was made possible in partnership with the Davao City Water District and in coordination with the Watershed Management Coordinating Council (WMCC).

Councilor Abella, who was the guest speaker during the closing ceremonies of the camp, was delighted to know that activities such as the Eco Camp exist and involve active participation of the youth for environment protection. She stressed that there should also be active involvement of the barangays. She also added that aside from watershed rehabilitation and protection, solid waste management should also be a primary concern.

Attended by 151 participants coming from different high schools and colleges in the city, the watershed youth camp was held to intensify the spirit of environmental stewardship among the y o u n g e r generation.

Moreover, it is also considered to have the biggest delegation to date, almost doubling the 80

encouraging youth involvement in environment protection. Chair of the environment and natural resources committee Councilor Marissa Salvador-Abella stresses the importance of the youth in helping protect the environment during the closing ceremonies on April 10.

participants of the first ever Eco Camp on April 21-22, 2001.

DCWD community relations and external affairs department manager Imelda T. Magsuci admired the enthusiasm of the participants “Their presence alone shows their overwhelming passion towards the environment and sincere desire to serve. Instead of going to gigs and malls, they opted to spend their weekend for a much nobler cause for the environment.”

During the opening ceremonies, Mrs. Magsuci inducted the new set of officers of the WMYC. Guest speakers DENR forestry management specialist division chief Alfredo Zarasate and Interface Development Inventions (IDIS) environment research specialist Anne Fuertes briefed the participants on the current situation and the issues and challenges involved in the protection of Davao City’s watersheds.

The three-day gathering kept the participants busy through leadership workshops and team building activities. Most of the discussions focused on finding possible solutions to watershed and water problems in the city such as timber poaching in the watersheds and strict observance of buffer zone in the upland plantations. The participants were constantly reminded of the huge role they need to play in the protection and rehabilitation of the environment (top photo) 11th Eco Camp participants’ and were encouraged to become more briefing on Davao City watersheds. active in contributing what they could Participants are all ears to DENR XI Forestry to help restore the watersheds.

Management Specialist division chief Alfredo Zarasate as he explains the current situation of the Davao City watersheds. (bottom) New set of WMYC officers for 2011. Spokesperson Imelda T. Magsuci (R) inducts the new set of WMYC officers during the opening ceremonies last April 9.

GM Dora...from page 5 water reduction, infrastructure development, customer satisfaction, environmental protection and resource management.

The corporate values coined TIES have also been launched in the tenure of GM Gamboa. Boosting employee morale and making everyone feel the sense of belongingness, responsibility and pride of being dedicated water providers, they are imbibing teamwork, integrity, excellence and stewardship.

The NICER agenda and the corporate values are in place and the direction towards service excellence is being trotted by the eager men and women of DCWD. They have inculcated in their minds and have embraced the DCWD vision, mission and corporate philosophy.

Heeding the outpouring passion of the youth towards the environment, the DCWD has been supporting WMYC’s Eco Camp conducted yearly for eleven years now. (edmarson m. sola and jovana cresta t. duhaylungsod) s

Heightened in their consciousness is care and preservation of the environment of which the watershed is largely part of.

With that, GM Dora is confident that all will be well and like a mother to her children, she decides to wean them from her close watch and allow them to plod on their own. She leaves them behind with her legacy of hard work, dedication, honesty, integrity, empowerment, simplicity and humility. She leaves with her conviction that DCWD will continue to prosper in its water service and environment care and thus continue doing its share in the development and progress of Davao City.

And whatever new path she chooses to take, she will always be in nicer ties with everyone.

Cheers to a great lady, GM Rodora Mallari Navarro Gamboa! s

January – june 2011

13

water news

PARRCOM-DAR DCWD alliance DCWD spokesperson Imelda T. Magsuci (2nd from R) and PARRCOM provincial agrarian reform officer II Ernesto B. Tan (middle) sign the MoA.

JCPII and PARRCOM-DAR back DCWD’s Adopt-a-Site project

J

ohn Paul II College of Davao (JPIICD) and Provincial Agrarian Reform Coordinating Council (PARRCOM) Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Provincial Council showed their support to Davao City Water District’s

environmental campaign by becoming adopters of DCWD’s Adopt-a-Site project.

On a different note, the PARRCOM - DAR adopted one hectare of land inside Mt. Talomo-Lipadas Watershed in Tungkalan and will be donating six thousand pesos every year for five years in order to help DCWD rehabilitate the identified area. Its donation will subsidize the planting of seedlings, maintenance, replanting, fertilization and administrative cost. This agreement was sealed via a memorandum of agreement by spokesperson Imelda T. Magsuci for DCWD and provincial agrarian reform officer II Ernesto B. Tan for the PARRCOM-DAR last May 26. In behalf of PARRCOM-DAR, Mr. Tan expressed his full support to the endeavors of the DCWD and that they too are privileged to be able to contribute to preservation of the environment.

The JPIICD-DCWD partnership was signed by DWCD OIC-GM Edwin V. Regalado and JPIICD dean of student affairs Ornel A. Fuentes last March 25, 2011. The school adopted one hectare inside Malagos watershed in Baguio District and pledged to conduct tree planting, maintenance and monitoring activities inside the area for five years beginning February of 2011 until DCWD launched the Adopt-a-Site project in order to February of 2016. This alliance started way back January 2006 encourage active participation of all societal sectors for when the school adopted two hectares in the same watershed environmental protection especially in the rehabilitation of the reservation area. Rehabilitation of the two hectares was completed three watersheds of Davao City, namely Malagos, Mt. Talomothrough the school’s National Service Training Program (NSTP) Lipadas and Mt. Tipolog-Tamugan. In fact, it is the same project and Community Extension Program (CEP) and the positive result that helped DCWD completely rehabilitate 530 hectares inside of this endeavor encouraged the school to add one more hectare Mt. Talomo-Lipadas. As of June 2011, a total under its care, thus the of 48 adopters have already supported 65.5 renewal of partnership. hectares of land inside the Malagos watershed DCWD, John Paul II College Adopt-a-Site green reservation and 60 inside Mt. Talomo-Lipadas collaboration. DCWD OIC-GM Edwin V. Regalado (3rd watershed. from R) and John Paul II College faculty headed by dean of student affairs Ornel A. Fuentes (2nd from L) sign MoA for the Aside from Adopt-a-Site, DCWD also latter’s support of DCWD’s Adopt-a-Site project. employed other means such as networking and linkaging, information education and communication, caring for the upland partners, environmental water quality monitoring, and monitoring and evaluation in order to accomplish this feat.

14

January – june 2011

The DCWD continues its efforts in protecting the major watersheds of Davao City in order to stay true to one of its visions and that is to ensure water resource sustainability. Acknowledging the fact that the water utility could not do this alone, it continues to create linkages among different groups and organizations in order to successfully accomplish this goal. (jovana cresta t. duhaylungsod) s

World Water Day

T

he Davao City Water District joined the United Nations in celebrating the 2011 World Water Day last March 22 through information dissemination campaign addressing the issues concerning urban water management. Alongside the theme “Water for Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenge,” the District also empathized with the recent tsunami disaster that hit Japan emphasizing water being in the wrong places.

This year’s World Water Day celebration centered on the effects of rapid population growth, climate change, conflicts and natural disasters on the urban water system. The issue is close to DCWD’s heart considering it supplies water to Davao City, one of the fastest growing cities in the country in terms of population and infrastructure development.

the water utility’s official mascots, Tobi and Sedi joined the fun brigade.

A forum themed “Water for Cities: Responding the Buffer Zone Challenge” was also held last March 23 at the Ateneo de Davao University. It was sponsored by DCWD in partnership with the Watershed Management Coordinating Council (WMCC) and Interface Development Inventions (IDIS). The forum, attended by spokesperson Imelda T. Magsuci, discussed the dangers of banana and pineapple plantations near rivers as washed plantation chemicals could potentially contaminate water supply sources. To address this issue, the forum emphasized building partnerships with different sectors in order to observe strict enforcement and implementation of buffer zones.

Speakers of the forum emphasized the importance of buffer zones in filtering sediments and insoluble contaminant coming from farmlands, increasing infiltration opportunity time of pesticides seeping into soil before entering rivers and recharging of aquifers. The gathering also tackled the increasing demand of water supply parallel to the growing population of Davao City and how the Tamugan River is seen as an important water source of the city in the future.

The annual celebration is an international effort involving different groups from different countries. This year’s World Water Day centered on issues concerning the DCWD sticker brigade in action. A escalating demand for growing urban water and DCWD employee posts stickers bearing a sanitation, increased pollution from municipal and conserve water message as part of the water industrial discharges, climate change and its unforeseen utility’s observance of the World Water Day. risks and challenges, overexploitation of available water resources, and better targeting of the urban poor.

A customer feeds his curiosity on major water issues through an exhibit displayed at the DCWD Bajada office.

The first observance of World Water Day was in 1993 in line with the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development contained in Fresh Water Resources agendum. However, the idea first transpired in 1992 during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro. (jovana cresta t. duhaylungsod) s

Throughout the month of March, exhibits were set-up in DCWD offices in Bajada and Matina. These showcased different facts and figures on urban water management which was very ideal in informing the public of the problems that entail rapid urbanization, one of which is water supply sustainability. Pictures showing the devastating aftermath of the tsunami in Japan were also displayed in order to show how water can be destructive.

On the celebration day, a sticker brigade by DCWD employees was done through actual posting of water conservation and environmental protection stickers on jeepneys and private vehicles to help raise awareness among the public. To encourage positive response from drivers and passengers as well as pedestrian passers-by,

tobi

Sedi January – june 2011

15

water news

DCWD celebrates

Strengthening ties in the midst of change

T

he Davao City Water District reaffirmed ties through a ceremonial gathering that declared the solidity of the water utility last June 29, 2011 at the D’Leonor Hotel. The assembly themed as “One Great Team” promoted the spirit of unity for continued excellence in public service amidst any change of leadership.

The program was attended by DCWD outgoing GM Rodora N. Gamboa and her family, acting GM Edwin V. Regalado, Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa Davao City Water District (NAMADACWAD) reps, DCWD supervisors, managers, and rank and file employees coming from different departments. Also there were guests from Commission on Audit (COA), Civil Service Commission (CSC) and Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), all colleagues from the Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies (ARENA) Region XI. Some highlights of the event were the ceremonial pipe-march and water jar turn-over ceremonies. Representational of the response of the DCWD community to the call for unity was the pipe-march of a few DCWD employees. This was followed by outgoing GM Gamboa handing over a water jar to acting GM Regalado symbolizing the passing of responsibilities as general manager of one of the largest water utilities in the Philippines. Both rites were witnessed by the DCWD workforce present during the event who all showed immense support for the new acting general manager.

As she handed the jar, outgoing GM Gamboa gave acting GM Regalado an inspiring message she dubbed as DROP that would guide him in his leadership. “Be Dedicated in your work and be decisive, be Result-oriented and respectful of others, be Outstanding and don’t settle for mediocrity and be excellent in your work, and always be Prayerful,” she said.

Early on the night was another highlight which was a tribute of the employees given to their outgoing GM who, aside from being the first female general manager of DCWD, has also carved her name in the history of the District with her legacies.

It was during outgoing GM Gamboa’s term that the water utility started using the NICER Agenda, a more comprehensive and organized way of dealing with the water utility’s operations, summarizing its immediate concerns: Non-revenue water reduction, Infrastructure development, Customer satisfaction, Environmental protection and Resource management. This five-point agenda is strengthened by the TIES core values - Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence and Stewardship conceptualized as a guide for every DCWD employee to follow in order to achieve effective, efficient and honest rendering of public service.

Having had her share of tests during her five-year term, she hoped for DCWD’s success. “I wish Edwin (Regalado) and the rest of the team greater success, greater heights and for the District to keep growing, swelling and becoming the nation’s pride,” outgoing GM Gamboa said.

Acting GM Regalado understood and knew well the challenge before him. “Personally, leading the existing 1,021 workforce against 177, 000 connections of the growing Davaoeños is overwhelming,” he said. Even so, he accepted the task with much dedication knowing very well what he needs in order to take on the responsibilities. “The challenge is for us to remain cohesive. Let us be united in achieving our goals through the NICER agenda. Let us shape and determine the future of DCWD. With this, let us not fail the public that depends on us for their continuing existence,” he added. (jovana cresta t. duhaylungsod) s

16

January – june 2011

January – june 2011

17

water news

15 years

10 years

S

ervice excellence of Davao City Water District employees were fittingly recognized last February 25, 2011 at the Grand Men Seng Hotel.

Awards given were in-service loyalty, model employees and special recognitions for accomplishments made in behalf of the District.

Director Annabelle B. Rosell of the Civil Service Commission XI graced the event. In her speech, she emphasized how valuable government employees are especially those who were able to stay long in public service considering the demands and responsibilities that the job entails. Also present to hand the awards were DCWD Directors Eliseo R. Braganza, Maria Luisa L. Jacinto, Charlemagne B. Aldevera and Abdul M. Dataya, GM Rodora N. Gamboa, then AGM for operations Edwin V. Regalado and OIC-AGM for administration Mildred G. Aviles.

DCWD’s 2 Grand Awards Night celebrated

Eighty-seven DCWD employees received plaques and tokens for having been with the utility for 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years. A short tribute was also dedicated to Evelyn B. Calonzo, quality control assurance chief, who retired last year after 30 years of service.

30 years

J. Hidalgo, engineer B of the Engineering and Construction department.

Also honored were the back to back victories of the Community Relations and External Affairs department during the recently held 32nd Philippine Association of Water Districts conference. These were the first ever best Integrated Watershed Management Plan and the “Crystal Flow” as the best publication in the magazine category for the third time.

This awarding event is DCWD’s way of showing appreciation to employee’s dedication in helping the District achieve its mission and vision in becoming the best in supplying quality water to the people of Davao at the most reasonable cost as well as being a prime mover in environmental protection. (jovana cresta t. duhaylungsod) s

Model Employees

January – june 2011

20 years

DCWD formed an MEY Committee to help in the tedious process of identifying the winners. Criteria used for judging were performance efficiency, health and personality, team work, and attendance based on nominees’ records and service output from January 04 until December 29 of 2010. Only those nominees who got at least a 95 % rating were endorsed to the general manager for final evaluation, selection and ranking. Though only two were selected for the MEY awards, all nominees were still considered exemplary in their respective fields.

25 years

Twelve nominees vied for the 2010 Model Employee of the Year (MEY) awards, six for the field category and five for the office level. Pedrito V. Dizon, driver assigned at the Operations and Maintenance department, took home the glory as the MEY – field category. There were no runner-ups as other nominees failed to reach the minimum average rating of 95%. Alma Judith J. Canson, senior quality control / assurance inspector of the Production department, was awarded MEY – office category. First runner-up was Engr. Anne Michelle T. Sumaya, data analyst – controller of the Electronic Data Processing department, and second runner-up was Cherry Gay

18

nd

to our Newly Appointed Permanent Employees

SOTERO L. EDULLANTES, JR. Plant Mechanic C Production Dept.

TYRONE A. ENSOY

Utilities Service Assistant C Operation and Maintenance Dept.

CHERIE MAY P. CENITA

RAMEL C. NAVIDAD

Industrial Security Guard B Production Dept.

JOENEL C. FIEL

Driver General Services Dept.

OLIVER P. BRIONES

Clerk-Processor C Legal Dept.

Senior Water Resources Facilities Operator A Production Dept.

CATHERINE C. FIEL

MARK TIMOTHY C. ISTURIS

Utility Worker B Operation and Maintenance Dept.

ERNESTO S. DAYONDON, JR.

Industrial Security Guard B Production Department

Industrial Relations Management Aide Human Resource Dept.

KAREN JOY D. PATAYON

Industrial Relations Management Assistant B Human Resource Dept.

JOY ANN E. BASADRE

Engineer B Operation and Maintenance Dept.

ELAINE JOY T. SADINO

Customer Service Assistant D Commercial Dept.

CHERIE MAY E. MORALES

Clerk-Processor C General Services Dept.

ELVEN S. APOR

Forestry Assistant A Community Relations and External Affairs Dept.

JUN O. OCAY

Utility Worker B Operation and Maintenance Dept.

EMMANUEL C. SARILE

Industrial Security Guard C Production Dept.

ARVIN S. MEDINA

Clerk-Processor C Production Dept.

MARY ANNE S. MIRABEL

PETER DAVID A. BAUTISTA

Clerk-Processor C Commercial Dept.

Clerk-Processor C Commercial Dept.

FRANCIS EARL V. RAZA

Customer Service Assistant D Commercial Dept.

ARIEL O. NELLAS

FERDINAND P. TORRALBA

Clerk-Processor D Community Relations and External Affairs Dept.

ESTEBAN M. ABUCEJO JR.

Engineering Aide B Community Relations and External Affairs Dept.

Utility Worker B Operation and Maintenance Dept.

NELSON F. TEMPO

HELEN P. CABARRUBIAS

Utility Worker B Operation and Maintenance Dept.

REY B. COQUILLA

Internal Control Assistant B Systems and Internal Audit Dept.

EDGARDO L. VILLAVER

Precision Instrument Repair and Maintenance Services Chief General Services Dept.

Utility Worker A Production Dept.

SHYAN P. PARTOSA

Customer Service Assistant D Commercial Dept.

CHARMAINE P. VALENTIN

Customer Service Assistant A Commercial Dept.

HENRY P. MANALO

Utility Worker B General Services Dept.

MARIFE D. BARBARONA

Utility Worker B Operation and Maintenance Dept.

ALLAN D. ANTIGA

Clerk-Processor C Finance and Property Dept.

KAREN ANNE L. SERVILLON

Cashier D Finance and Property Dept.

ANJI LAURA A. GRECIA

Environmental Analyst Community Relations and External Affairs Dept.

January – june 2011

19

personnel

Congratulations

personnel

Newly Promoted Employees MAY LISSA G. DEOCAMPO Industrial Relations Management Officer C Human Resource Dept.

VICTOR R. CABILLON

Heavy Equipment Operator General Services Dept.

FELOMINO C. GALILA JR.

BERNADINE G. REDULLA Senior Quality Control/ Assurance Inspector Production Dept.

ANNALYN D. CUATON

Water Maintenance Foreman Commercial Dept.

GILBERT ROY C. LEYVA

Supervising Engineer A Eng’g. and Construction Dept.

Customer Service Assistant A Commercial Dept.

GEORGE CHRISTOPHER D. ATENCIO

Water Maintenance Foreman Commercial Dept.

Supervising Engineer A Eng’g. and Construction Dept.

REYNANTE N. IMAN

Senior Water Resources Facilities Operator A Production Dept.

MANUELITO Q. LAPIZ

Senior Water Maintenance Man B Operation and Maintenance Dept.

ALDWIN IAN A. GALLETO

JOSE DAVID A. COLINDRES

Senior Water Maintenance Man B Eng’g. and Construction Dept.

JOEMARIE B. ALBA

Senior Water Maintenance Man B Operation and Maintenance Dept.

GERALD P. PALMERO

Senior Water Maintenance Man B Eng’g. and Construction Dept.

ELMER P. DIMALANTA

Water Maintenance Foreman Operation and Maintenance Dept.

GEOFFREY C. BUTANAS

Customer Service Assistant A Commercial Dept.

GRACE G. ORION

CANNIFER R. BASTIAN

JESSICA P. GATO

JANINE JOY E. ELLIVERA

MA. DONNA MAE C. MUÑOZ

ROEL ARNULFO R. RACANDAY

ROWENA O. LIMOS

HENRY JAY B. PEREGRINO

Senior Accounting Processor A Accounting and Budget Dept.

JUANITO C. PANSACALA, JR.

Senior Water Maintenance Man B Operation and Maintenance Dept.

Engineer B Electronic Data Processing Dept.

OSCAR C. DELA CRUZ

Division Manager C Operation and Maintenance Dept.

GAMALIEL F. ABIDAY

Senior Water Maintenance Man B Operation and Maintenance Dept.

JOSE JUNNIE C. SINTOS

Water Maintenance Foreman Eng’g. and Construction Dept.

January – june 2011

Clerk-Processor B General Services Dept.

JOHN PAUL D. PAULINO

Customer Service Assistant A Commercial Dept.

FLORENITO A. OÑEZ

Customer Service Assistant D Commercial Dept.

LEO RHEY M. GERALDO

Material Procurement Officer A General Services Dept.

ELIEZER L. FERNANDEZ

Senior Instrument Technician General Services Dept.

Customer Service Assistant A Commercial Dept.

JAYSON H. MADENANCIL

Customer Service Assistant A Commercial Dept.

FERNANDO G. ROXAS, JR.

JOSIE E. MAMAC

Engineer B Eng’g. and Construction Dept.

JESON R. RODRIGUEZ

Senior Water Maintenance Man B Operation and Maintenance Dept.

PERCIVAL F. CALLA

Customer Service Assistant A Commercial Dept.

GLEZILDA D. SUNGA

CARLOS S. CHUA, JR.

Customer Service Assistant D Commercial Dept.

Industrial Relations Management Assistant B Human Resource Dept.

Plumber B Operations and Maintenance Dept.

April 12, 1953 - June 26, 2011

JERRY G. BAJAO

Procurement Analyst B General Services Dept.

Supervising Industrial Relations Management Officer A Human Resource Dept.

MAE RAMONETTE T. SARIGUMBA

HELSON P. CATACUTAN

ROGELIO P. SIBAL

Water Maintenance Foreman Operation and Maintenance Dept.

REYMA R. MAG-ASO

Supervising Engineer A Eng’g. and Construction Dept.

SIMON F. AYENG

Engineering Assistant A Operation and Maintenance Dept.

JONALEI E. BERMUDEZ

ELWIN B. LUCMAYON

Water Maintenance Foreman Operation and Maintenance Dept.

Supervising Engineer A Eng’g. and Construction Dept.

Utilities Service Asst. B Operation and Maintenance Dept.

Data Analyst-Controller Electronic Data Processing Dept.

CHESTER O. SAAVEDRA

Senior Water Maintenance Man B Operation and Maintenance Dept.

Supervising Engineer A Eng’g. and Construction Dept.

Clerk-Processor B General Services Dept.

Pahulay sa Kalinaw...

Ang imong pamilya sa DCWD nagmahal kanimo.

20

NICANOR A. BIAS, JR.

Senior Water Maintenance Man B Operation and Maintenance Dept.

Transport Dispatcher A General Services Dept.

GERRY M. ARELLANO

Senior Water Maintenance Man B Operation and Maintenance Dept.

“Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.”

Isaiah 51:11

legally speaking

by Atty. Bernard D. Delima

C

onventionally, she who gave birth and raised a child is a mother. She who did not give birth to a child yet raised the latter with love, care and affection, in the eyes of the law, can be a mother.

The aforesaid principle is well demonstrated in this case where a mother claimed for the custody of a minor child by filing a Petition for issuance of a writ of habeas corpus against the foster parent.

Zenaida Medina gave birth to a baby boy named Joseph Casero at the Makabali Clinic in San Fernando, Pampanga on February 4, 1969. The facility was owned and operated by Dra. Venancia Makabali, single, who assisted in the delivery. The boy was Zenaida’s third, and she had it with a married man, Feliciano Casero.

Not wanting to take care, the mother left the child with Dra. Makabali after delivery. The latter took care and reared Joseph as her own son; had him treated at her expense for poliomyelitis in Manila until he recovered his health; and sent him to school.

From birth until August 1976, the real mother never visited her child, and never paid for any of his expenses.

Zenaida lived with Feliciano Casero with her two other children apparently with the tolerance, if not the acquiescence, of Casero’s lawful wife who resides elsewhere, albeit the offspring of both women were in good terms with one another. Casero made about P400.00 a month as a mechanic, and Zenaida herself earned about 4 to 5 pesos a day.

Zenaida filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus before the Court of First Instance of Pampanga, which was docketed as Special Proceeding No. 1947. After hearing, the writ was denied by the Court, and the case was appealed directly to this Supreme Court exclusively on points of law.

When the Trial Court called Joseph on the witness stand, it was observed that he never knew of his mother, Zenaida. He was calling Dra. Makabali “Mommy”. The Court informed him that his real mother is Zenaida. He was asked with whom he would like to live with, his real mother or the respondent.

The boy pointed to Dra. Makabali and said “Mommy!” The Court asked him, “Why do you choose to stay with your “Mommy?” He answered, “She is the

one rearing me.” This confrontation was made in the presence of the two women, Zenaida and Dra. Makabali, in open court.

The Trial Court held that it was for the child’s best interest to be left with his foster mother and denied the writ prayed for. The real mother appealed.

The Supreme Court favored Dra. Makabali in this wise: “We see no reason to disturb the order appealed from. While our law recognizes the right of a parent to the custody of her child, Courts must not lose sight of the basic principle that “in all questions on the care, custody, education and property of children, the latter’s welfare shall be paramount” (Civil Code of the Philippines, Art. 363), and that for compelling reasons, even a child under seven may be ordered separated from the mother. This is as it should be, for in the continual evolution of legal institutions, the patria potestas has been transformed from the jus vitae ac necis (right of life and death) of the Roman law, under which the offspring was virtually a chattel of his parents, into a radically different institution, due to the influence of Christian faith and doctrines. The obligational aspect is now supreme. As pointed out by Puig Peña, now “there is no power, but a task; no complex of rights (of parents) but a sum of duties; no sovereignty, but a sacred trust for the welfare of the minor.”

Further, it was ruled that: “As a result, the right of parents to the company and custody of their children is but ancillary to the proper discharge of parental duties to provide the children with adequate support, education, moral, intellectual and civic training and development (Civil Code, Art. 356). As remarked by the Court below, Zenaida Medina proved remiss in these sacred duties; she not only failed to provide the child with love and care but actually deserted him, with not even a visit, in his tenderest years, when he needed his mother the most. It may well be doubted what advantage the child could derive from being coerced to abandon respondent’s care and love to be compelled to stay with his mother and witness her irregular menage a trois with Casero and the latter’s legitimate wife.” (Zenaida Medina vs. Dra. Venancia L. Makabali, G.R. No. L-26953, March 28, 1969).

Therefore, to assert one’s right as a mother requires proof, not only by biological means, but by clear showing of love, care and sacrifices for the child. s January – june 2011

21

water news Mangrove planting and coastal clean up by DCWD employees and their families. Participants of DCWD sponsored Lawig 5 expresses their full support to the mangrove planting activity at the Turtle Sanctuary at Punta Dumalag last May 27, 2011.

DCWD rehabs turtle sanctuary thru

A

s part of the Ocean Month celebration, the Davao City Water District spearheaded Lawig 5, a whole-day coastal clean-up and mangrove planting event, at the Turtle Sanctuary in Punta Dumalag, Matina last May 27. Participants were DCWD employees and their respective families with DCWD OIC-GM Edwin V. Regalado, Community Relations and External Affairs Department manager Imelda T. Magsuci and Public Information / Relations Division manager Maria Editha C. Monje. Also present were speakers Arth Cagumbay representing Marissa S. Abella and Wilfreda C. Oredina from the city agriculturist’s office.

Before the actual planting of mangrove seedlings and cleaning of the coastal area, short lectures were given in order to intensify the message for ocean protection.

These were given by Mr. Cagumbay who talked on the status of the tortoises in Davao City and their various species. He also delivered Councilor Abella’s appreciation of DCWD’s efforts to do something for the ocean.

Miss Oredina, on the other hand, provided insights on the coastal ecosystem and significance of mangrove trees in order to explain the benefits of the day’s activities.

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January – june 2011

The participants were very enthusiastic in contributing for the success of the event. They planted 500 mangrove seedlings the area identified along the shorelines of the Turtle Sanctuary. For the coastal clean up, they were able to collect around 20 sacks of garbage, that included shoes, slippers, underwear and used disposable diapers. After completing the activities, the participants were asked to share their realizations and unitedly, they believed that many people do not know the effects of irresponsible waste disposal. To cap the day, everybody was asked to write pledges for the ocean citing how they could contribute in becoming its protectors.

OIC-GM Regalado praised the efforts of all parties and individuals involved in this endeavor. He further highlighted the big role that the ocean plays not just as a major source of food but as an important part of the watershed.

“Protecting the ocean is also protecting our water supply. We should not just care for the uplands.

The scope of our environmental protection should be from ridge to reef,” he said. (jovana cresta t. duhaylungsod) s

D

avao City Water District launched its Gender Scanning Program during the first quarterly meeting of the Mindanao Association of Water Districts (MAWD) held last April 1, 2011 at the Grand Men Seng Hotel. Thirty-one representatives from 29 water districts in Mindanao were given inputs on gender scan methodology. DCWD general manager Rodora N. Gamboa presented and discussed “Gender Scanning in Water Utilities”, as part of the Gender and Development Program of DCWD. Developed by USAID’s Eco-Asia Water and Sanitation Program in partnership with the Gender Water Association, Gender Scan Methodology (GSM) was also presented in the annual meeting of the Philippine Association of Water Districts (PAWD) last February 11, 2011 in Davao City.

Gender Scan helps organization to assess its performances, through addressing issues, work practices and policies that contribute to gender

inequalities. The methodology is designed to specifically assist water operators assess their performance and potential, develop gender-friendly policies and to improve gender mainstreaming.

GSM comes as a participatory tool kit and a selfguiding process that is entirely customizable based on the needs of an organization.

GM Rodora N. Gamboa talks about gender scan while representatives coming from different water districts in Mindanao listen intently.

The gender-friendly policies developed on the basis of the gender scan will effect improvements that strengthen the water utilities’ operations and services, and lead to a more competitive, efficient, equitable, profitable and sustainable organization.

It ensures that men and women have the same opportunities for career development, trainings, salaries, etc., and that no one is discriminated against on the basis of gender.

Gender Scanning is one of the major activities that the DCWD is undertaking as part of mainstreaming activities of gender and development in the workplace. (ruth g. jabines) s

Readying for fire I

n observance of the fire prevention month, a fire drill activity was held successfully in the premises of the Davao City Water District offices in Bajada and Matina last March 30. This was after a series of lecture and training seminars on emergency management were conducted, equipping chosen employees designated as members of DCWD emergency response team with disaster management skills.

A fire scenario was simulated wherein employees got out calmly of their respective offices after hearing a long siren of the fire alarm.

They followed respective evacuation routes specific to every office location that were thoroughly studied and scientifically designed by the utility’s safety officer Engr. John F. Baynosa.

The DCWD emergency response team is composed of rank and file employees and some managers and supervisors who hold specific responsibilities during emergencies. In the event of an actual fire, they are expected to carry out their distinct duties by sub-teams.

These are: Firefighting Team that is in charge of controlling and putting out of the fire and providing necessary action in preventing injury to personnel as well as take steps to reduce damage to property; Medical Team that is responsible for setting up and manning the first

water news

DCWD’s gender scan methodology presented to water districts

(Left photo): Fire officer briefs DCWD emergency response team. FO2 Raydon S. Alisa is shown giving final instructions to members of the DCWD emergency response team before the actual fire drill at the DCWD Matina office last March 30. (Right photo): Members of the medical group of the DCWD emergency response team give unconscious victim first aid as part of the fire scenario simulation.

aid station at the designated location in the evacuation area, as well as providing first aid in case there are employee casualties; Evacuation Team that is responsible for evacuating the employees in an orderly manner to the safe zone and urge people to stay calm; Security Team that will see to it that all building exits are open, free of obstructions and crowd (onlookers), and will make sure that no unauthorized person enter the fire scene and maintain the easy flow of traffic to facilitate the smooth emergency operations.

Re-echoing what was learned during trainings, DCWD spokesperson Imelda T. Magsuci reminded employees of the six steps to combat fire with acronym SAFETY which stands for Sound alarm immediately, Advise fire brigade, Fight fire with equipment available, Evacuate if necessary, Tell everyone to get clear, and You must not re-enter a burning building.

SFO4 Antonio C. Mariscal, trainor from the Bureau of Fire and Protection, lauded employees’ preparedness he observed during the fire drill. “Preparedness and mental alertness is the best tool in times of natural disaster,” SPO4 Marsical said. (edmarson m. sola) s

January – june 2011

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think GOD

Life is a mystery of Love!

by Fidela M. Dajao

I

t was my great desire to go for a vacation in Bohol, my hometown, upon reaching my 28 years of service at the Davao City Water District. Being away for a number of years, it would be delightful to hug members of the family, pat a relative or chat with a friend there. But then I knew that it would not be possible due to some unexpected events that cropped up along the way.

One evening, as I arrived home from a 6:00 o’clock Holy Mass, I received a call from a niece in Bohol telling me that our eldest brother died. I was so sad especially that being the 13th and the youngest in the family, I was so fond of him. I immediately flew to Bohol to have a glimpse of my dear brother for the last time and to offer prayer service during his wake. It was really a heart-breaking meeting amidst a fulfilled dream of being with my loved ones for my dearest brother was already cold and lifeless.

A day after his ninth novena and burial, I left for Davao.

The following morning, after a day of rest due to the very tedious journey, I went to the hospital for my scheduled heart check-up. While I was at the pharmacy immediately after my 2-D Echo, I received a call from my nephew in Butuan City informing me that his father, the ninth in our family, had just died. Another sudden death in the family racked my life with pain and extreme grief. I called on the Lord in soaking prayer, begging for His mercy to help us accept all trials in our family.

God in his infinite love answered my pleadings in His own awesome way. The evening before I left for Butuan City for my brother’s interment, I managed to attend a Lenten Recollection,

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January – june 2011

even though my heart was engrossed with sorrow. God used the recollection master as His instrument to heal all my pains, as his sharing ushered me to deepen my faith and lend on to the grace of God. By the power of the Holy Spirit, God’s message permeated every fiber of my whole being that helped me realize the mystery of life.

In the context of prayer, we have the best pattern of life – the prayer of the Holy Rosary, a compendium of the holy gospels which portrayed the lives of Jesus and Mary in the different mysteries of joy, light, sorrows and glory. During the Season of Lent, it focused on the passion, death and resurrection of Christ, known as the “Paschal Mysteries”. That by the salvific act of Jesus thru His obedience to the will of the Father, the Plan of Salvation for the whole human kind was fulfilled.

Pondering on the Paschal Mysteries of Christ led me to a spiritual realization that our life here on earth is just temporary.

Heaven, our permanent home, is waiting for all of us. As transient residents in this world, let us be constantly guided by God’s abiding presence, so as not to be carried by the strong current of the world’s seduction that would ruin and lead us to eternal damnation. Let ourselves be immersed by His divine light and thru the guidance of the Holy Spirit, our daily struggles for survival in pains, in sufferings and even death will become an avenue for us to enter His Heavenly Kingdom, where we can experience the gift of everlasting life.

Life, indeed, is a mystery of God’s love! s

feature

In the Name of the Father

by Jason J. Demonteverde

H

ow do we become fathers? Is it through the birth certificate of our children? Is it through the enrollment form that we fill out when we are about to enroll them in our desired educational institution?

I have recently become a father to a beautiful baby girl whom my wife and I have named Jana and I asked these same questions to myself.

When I got engaged and eventually married, I realized that, in time, I would become a father. I would encounter situations that my parents have experienced when I was still a child and most importantly, I would need to make a lot of adjustments. I share a few of them.

Spending time with Jana. When

I was young, my father was never much around for various reasons and excuses. Less than a year old since her birth, I have been making sure that I spend quality time with Jana, savoring her developments. With the days and months that she makes progress and as she makes the simplest of achievements, I am thrilled and proud that I have become a father.

Bathing my baby. I experienced this from the day we went home from the hospital. Every morning, I had to bathe my beautiful girl as carefully and gently as I could to make sure that I followed the strict instructions of the nurses who taught me how to bathe my newborn. I am not ashamed to say that I have bathed my daughter many more times than her mother has done to her. I have been

considerate of my wife because she gave birth by caesarian operation.

Washing baby clothes. During the first few months of my daughter, I washed all the soiled sheets and clothes that she used on which she urinated, ‘pooed’ and thrown up. Each time I hanged her laundered clothes on the line, our neighbors watched, perhaps in awe, but I didn’t buckle. I never minded what they had in mind or would say. Washing Jana’s clothes carefully and making sure that all were clean and stain-free made me happy because believe me or not, it made me proud that I have become a father.

I am busier now at work and the house helper cum babysitter has taken over my humble chores. I miss doing my routines for my Jana. Sometimes, I feel a little guilty for not having as much time as I used to have to spend with her. But I could feel that her young mind knows and her innocent heart understands that I need more time for work and that my duty hours are sometimes odd. Every morning, before I report for an early shift, she is always awake and smiling as if saying goodbye. Each time, I bring along with me to work that happy look on her face which again, makes me proud that I have become a father.

Fatherhood has its own unique characteristics. I know that I still have to discover much more. I know that not all ways are paved and smooth but I just have to give my all to achieve my goal of being a good father and friend to my baby Jana.

For that thought, it is in the name of the father… s January – june 2011

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feature

For Naknak

by Jennife Dumalag-Borong

I

may sound weird in writing this article as early as now, but am afraid I may not able to tell you everything in the future, thus, this tale.

The most wonderful gift

It was September 6, 2008 when I knew that I had you in my tummy. It was mixed emotions. I was happy, yet a little bit reluctant.

Thoughts of these and those confronted me. I knew then that I wanted a child but not so soon. It was barely eight months since Taytay and I tied the knot. I was worried of my job, my studies and all. My thoughts ran: What if I can’t give you the utmost care that you deserve? What about my law school? Am I really ready to be a steward of the most wonderful gift?

Honestly, I didn’t cry as what other would-be new moms do, as they say. I was just staring at the P-test. I locked myself in our rest room for an hour and talked to you and felt you. Believe me, we had our first conversation, and from then on, I was ready to face a new life with you. The truth of having you was really life changing.

Everyday was a new life for me and everyday my heart was full of joy and excitement. The thoughts of seeing you, feeling and cuddling you made my adrenalin rush.

Two days after, I had my first pre-natal check –up. I cried when I heard your heart beat for the first time. You are six weeks old then. From that moment, I claimed to be the best mother to a most wonderful gift – YOU. And then I began counting the days to hold you in my arms.

The bitter - happy - sad ordeal

I really didn’t have an idea what pregnancy was all about.

Other women said that it just an ordinary thing. But not in my case, in our case.

I hated the feelings because I could not eat. I threw up everything what I struggled to put inside my mouth even if I knew it was delicious. But I must eat, I just had to for your sake. There were times when I succeeded to swallow the food but it only lasted for a few minutes inside my tummy. Then out it came again. The agony lasted for six months. I had hypothyroidism and skin allergies.

It was unbearable and I was not happy.

I worried much about you.

On the other hand, I

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liked the attention and affection from closest people that surrounded me. I was pampered, cared and loved, though I was the most fragile person on Earth. For the first time I felt very important.

Almost there

I was so impatient waiting for you to sneak out from my big tummy. I was restless. Getting to the due date made me anxious. For the first time I feared about death. What if I cannot make it? What if you cannot make it? Or what if both of us cannot make it?

These thoughts haunted me for many nights. I even endured nightmare that you were stolen from my tummy which made me more anxious than ever.

Taytay and I went on novena, praying to all angels and saints for your safe delivery. Through this, I was pacified and felt at ease.

False alarm

It was April 22 when I felt the first contraction. Thrilled, I thought that I will have you then. I even wanted to call you “Eartha” as this day marked the International Earth Day Celebration. But, lo and behold, it was just a false alarm.

Another week passed but still you nestled well in my tummy.

I was paranoid by this time, that I really wanted to end pregnancy.

April 28, I visited my OB and asked why I was still pregnant.

The doctor laughed at me and said a C- section would be scheduled on May 4 if I wanted. Right there and then, I said yes to the idea.

Hail to my queen

I was prepared for a C- section, though I wanted to have a normal delivery. It’s just that I cannot wait for another day. I thought May 4 would be our grand welcome day.

God answered my prayers, and I knew you have heard them too. I went on labor on April 30, and I knew I was more prepared for a normal delivery.

Painful as it was but I was overwhelmed by excitement and joy to finally see you. We spent 14 hours of labor. The doctors had forcedly pricked my bag of water for you to come out but there was a problem. My pelvises were so tight. So the OB said that we resort to C- section.

It was literally a labor day for me since you came out to this world on May 1. I was awake during the operation, I wanted to hear your cry, see you and caress you at long last.

On our first meeting, you looked straight into my eyes as though we have seen each other long before. This made me cry for truly, I have experienced a miracle. The connection between us was instant an inexplicable.

Motherhood turned me into a lioness

Call it postpartum or what, the day that I had you; I was really a changed person that even surprised me.

next page, please

F

water news training the uplanders. The participants are busy reviewing workshop outputs during their training on “Financial Management for the Peoples Organizations of Malagos Watershed”.

Watershed folks train on Financial Management

D

avao City Water District’s environment and watershed protection division headed by Engr Anthony D. Miranda facilitated a one-day training on “Financial Management for the Peoples Organizations of Malagos Watershed” last April 9 at the barangay hall of Baguio Proper in Baguio District as part of the utility’s continuous support to the upland communities that help protect the watersheds.

Basic bookkeeping, accounting concepts and financial record management were taught to the 15 officers coming from Tansing Colong Watershed Associaton, Malagos Watershed Buffer Zone Residents Organization, Association of Community Concerned on Watershed and Starapple Wines Watershed Association.

John Paul II College’s (JPIIC) NSTP coordinator John Mark I.

I was so selfish, that I do not want to share you with others, even to your Taytay. I had these feelings that it was me who labored so much for the pain was all mine.

I did not like other people to touch you. I did not even allow Mama (your Lola) to carry you until you were three months old.

I kept you in the house; you had your first subdivision walk with me when you were already seven months.

Going back to work killed me because I did not ever want to leave you in the care of others even if ‘others’ were your grandparents. It was as if I couldn’t entrust you to anyone. I even uttered to myself that it was better then when I was still pregnant with you because I was sure that I had you solely to myself, engulfed by protection.

During those days, I was misunderstood by the people around us. They said that I was like a lioness, always in a fight mode to protect her cub.

The post pregnancy

God knows I wanted you to be breast-feed. I had exerted all efforts to do even if it was painful than labor pain. But I had managed and survived this stage.

Hernandez and management accounting students Juninah D. Ilagan and Isabel B. Gonazaga served as resource persons. They provided the participants with basic knowledge on planning, directing, monitoring, organizing and controlling of the financial resources of their association. They also made training participants realize the importance of proper management and recording of income and finances of their association. JPIIC is also an adopter of one hectare of land insider the Malagos watershed in Baguio district through DCWD’s Adopt-a-Site Project.

Assistance such as this financial management training aimed to improve the PO’s capability to properly allocate their budget and efficiently keep track of their financial status. In the long run, aside from strengthening the foundation of their organization, it will also help increase the livelihood sources of its members. (jerell j. leonida) s

Unfortunately, my left breast developed mastitis due to clogged milk ducts and that forced me to take medicine to stop milk production. The infection was really unbearable. I had another hospitalization and the pain really sucked.

This incident even reinforced my selfishness. At this time, I was

alone again. My only consolation then was You.

Nak, when the time comes when you will read this letter, please remember that my love for you is unconditional. There maybe ill –feelings during the pregnancy but this was part of the package.

Always remember that Naynay is more than willing to experience pain to protect you.

I am hoping and praying that you would also become the greatest mother your children will be proud of.

My love would be ‘til eternity.

Always,

Naynay January – june 2011

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Ties P

Dc

Follow through session on Basic Corporate Photojournalism Seminar - January 26, Chateau del Mar, Lanang, 21 Participants ____________ Departmental Team Building (General Services Dept.)

January 14, Garden by the Bay, Lanang 108 Participants

by Jennife DP. Dumalag-Borong

T

he workshop on the launching of corporate values conducted by the DCWD - Regional Training Center during the Management and Employees Fora last March 2011 powered the utility.

Product Orientation for Operators and Mechanics on IR Portable Air Compressor Product - February 21, DCWD Board Conference Room.

36 Participants

The corporate values coined as TIES means Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence and Stewardship. It is defined as Teamwork: Trusting and cooperating with colleagues in pursuit of a common goal; Integrity: Cultivating among the people the highest ethical standards by practicing accountability, honesty, loyalty, credibility, responsibility and transparency in the utility’s daily operations; Excellence: Exhibiting high level of competence, professionalism, dedication, commitment in all facets of the organization with passion for innovation; and Stewardship: Building sense of ownership over corporate assets and resources.

With this, every DCWD employee is challenged to live and own the values to efficiently and effectively attain the NICER agenda, which in effect promote DCWD to public imbibing TIES.

Employees’ Forum - March 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15 and 18, D’Leonor Hotel, Bajada, 910 Participants

Management Annual Forum - March 1, D’Leonor Hotel, Bajada, 78 Participants

Skills Enhancement Seminar for Cashiers and Tellers March 24-25, Ritz Hotel, Obrero, 54 Participants _________ Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures Workshop - March 29, D’Leonor Hotel, Bajada, 83 Participants

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January – june 2011

Spritual Upliftment Program April 19-20, MIC Cursillo Retreat House, 87 Participants

Orientation-Workshop on Records and Archives Management - March 23-24, DCWD Board Conference Room, 8 Participants

owers

wd

Re-orientation on Performance Evaluation System (PES) May 4-5, Hotel Tropika, Lanang, 82 Participants –––––––––– Water Meter Seminar for Commercial Department May 10-12 and 31, Villa Margarita Hotel, Bajada, 94 Participants

“The quest for instituting TIES continues as this is a lifetime process, hence let us demonstrate TIES in all our undertakings be it work or personal acts, said GM Rodora N. Gamboa.

The TIES was crafted last April 22, 2010 in a finalization workshop attended by 31 employees representing the top management, department managers, division managers, supervisors and ranks. Said was the product of series of workshops since 2008 as banner program of GM Gamboa.

For the first semester, the Regional Training Center conducted 13 training programs of which 10 were inhouse and three were RTC. The in-house program refer to the training intervention designed for DCWD employees while the RTC programs are trainings in coordination with the Local Water Utilities Administration designed for the Southern and Central Mindanao Water Information Council and other water districts nationwide.

United Supervisors of DCWD Teambuilding - May 20, Loleng’s Mountain Spring Resort, Toril, 54 Participants ________ Financial Management Seminar for Water Districts - May 25-26, Grand Regal Hotel, Lanang, 55 Participants

Under its special programs, the RTC facilitated seven activities. Four were team buildings for the General Services Department, United Supervisors, training team, and Board and Management. The other three were product demonstration and presentation on IR portable air compressor, Kubota pump and on South City Marketing's valve and meter security locks. s

“Are You Men Enough?”

Gender Awareness Seminar for Men - June 8-9, D’Leonor Hotel, Bajada, 45 Participants ________ Water Meter Management Seminar - June 28-29, Brokenshire Resort and Convention Center, 37 Participants

Orientation on the Guidelines on Drivers Accreditation and Investigation - June 7-10, 17 & 23, DCWD Board Conference Room, 271 Participants ________ Team building for Team builders - June 15, D’Leonor Inland Resort, 9 Participants

Teambuilding for Board and Management - June 22, San Jose, IGACOS, 22 Participants

January – june 2011

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1. Carol’s mom has 3 daughters. The youngest girl is named Penny. The middle daughter is named Nickle.

What is the oldest daughter’s name? _________________

B. Sparky can’t find his bone.

Will you show him the way?

C. Lucky Stars How many straight lines are needed to separate each star from all of the others?

2. There was an accident on the border between Canada and the US. Where would they bury the survivors? _____________ 3. What goes up when the rain comes down? _______________

D. Fill In The Blanks Fill in the following word square using four each of the letters E and N, two each of the letters R, O and H, and one each of the letters W and I (for a total of 16 letters so that each word can be read both across and down.

G.

Find The Numbers

Connect the nine dots with four (only four) straight lines without ever lifting your pen or pencil from the paper.

E. And the number is?

What number should replace the question mark below?

6 5 8 3

3 5 3 9

4 7 4 7

6 4 8 _

H. You got it!

F. Word Patterns

In each group, find the one word which does not fit in with the others.

(Based upon meaning or construction)

1) walked rode sailed traveled flew 2) educate explain teach instruct train 3) warm tepid cold heat freezing 4) thirst defrost relax hijack student 5) doodle entreat memorize exchange remorse

I. Find the hidden words

Complete the words below by filling in the missing letters.

__ n __ __ r o __ m __ n __ g __ __ b __ g e c o n __ t __ u c __ __ o n r __ v e r __ a __ __ s c a __ __ g __ o u __ d w __ t __ r c __ r __ e__n t __ e a __ y r __ __ n

ANSWERS: A. 1. Carol, 2. They wouldn’t bury survivors, 3. umbrella; C. HERO, ERIN, NONE; E. 6; F. 1. traveled (all others are specific ways of traveling), 2. explain (all others imply a teacherstudent relationship), 3. heat (heat is a noun, the others are adjectives), 4. relax (all the others contain three letters in alphabetical order rst, def, hij, stu), 5. exchange (all the others contain two consonants and two vowels which are identical); H. environment, garbage, construction, riverbanks, campground, water current, heavy rain

games

A. Riddles

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January – june 2011

A keyboard has its creator’s last name on it, in a straight line. Do you know it? His name was Mr. Qwerty. His creation is the format of most keyboards in existence today around the world.

Did you know that... compiled by Madonna C. Llaguno

Bel paese, caciocavallo, gjetost, herkimer, liederkranz, liptaur, mysost, sapsago, and trappist are all varieties of cheese.

As a child, Beethoven made such a poor impression on his music teachers that he was pronounced hopeless as a composer. Even Haydn, who taught him harmony, did not recognize Beethoven’s potential genius.

Dogs only sweat from the bottoms of their feet, the only way they can discharge heat is by panting. Dogs and wolves yawn as a sign of contentment.

Sharks apparently are the only animals that never get sick. As far as if is known, they are immune to every known disease including cancer.

Peanut oil is used for underwater cooking in submarines. Undersea fleets like it because it does not smoke unless heated above 450 degree Fahrenheit.

‘Hey Jude’ was written by Paul in his car. Paul was on his way to visit Julian, John Lennon’s son, who was disturbed by his parent’s divorce.

Paul wrote this song to cheer him up.

Germs are tiny organisms that creep into our bodies and attack our immune system. Unable to live on their own, germs invade our bodies and steal the nutrients and energy that our bodies produce. After gobbling up all of our nutrients and vitamins the germs leave behind their own harmful wastes called toxins. These toxins are the sources of our runny noses, high fevers, diarrhea and hoarse coughs.

The word ‘Queue’ is the only word in the English language that can be pronounced the same even if the last four letters have been removed one by one.

Gulls, terns, skuas and other seabirds that endure the glare of sun on the sea have reddish oil in their eyes that acts as built-in sunglasses.

Secrecy about who the Oscar winners would be didn’t start until 1941. Before then, newspapers were given an advance list of winners to be published at 11p.m.

However, in 1940, the Los Angeles Times published the winners in their 8:45 p.m. edition, before the ceremony even started. The very next year sealed, secret envelopes were used for the first time and have been in use ever since.

Fish travel in schools, whales travel in pods or gams. Some more names for groups of animals… a bale of turtles, a clowder of cats, a charm of goldfinches, a knot of toads, a streak of tigers.

If you were to spell out numbers you would have to get to 1000 before you found the letter “A”.

Sources: www.corsinet.com, www.coolquiz.com, www.everything-eli.com, www.comedy-zone.net and www.google.com

January – june 2011

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