Maynilad awards drinking stations; improves water system in 15 public schools

FIFTEEN public elementary and secondary schools in the West Zone are now the beneficiaries of Maynilad's drinking stations and improved water systems.

This after Maynilad Water implemented its pilot Corporate Social Responsibility program for schools, “Lingkod Eskuwela”, which aims to address the problem of inadequate water supply and deteriorated pipe network in the beneficiary public schools.

“Children spend a large part of the day in school. This is why we at Maynilad believe that schools should be a healthy and hygienic environment for kids to grow and learn. And one key in achieving this is by ensuring that the children have access to potable and reliable water,” Maynilad president Rogelio Singson said.

Under the Lingkod Eskuwela program, Maynilad provided each of the beneficiary schools with a potable water drinking station, as well as technical assistance in the improvement and maintenance of the internal water distribution system inside the campus. The technical assistance covers inspection of cisterns, fixing of plumbing systems especially in comfort rooms, cleaning of sewer lines and desludging of septic tanks.

The 15 public schools in the West Zone selected for the program are Portrero Elementary School in Malabon City; Deparo Elementary School, Caloocan Elementary School, Lagro Elementary School, Camarin D Elementary School, Camarin High School, Urduja Elementary School, Maligaya Elementary School, Maligaya High School, Dr. Geraldez Elementary School, and Amparo High School in Caloocan City; Balingasa Elementary School, Toro Hills Elementary School, Don Rosario Elementary School, and Bagong Silangan Elementary School in Quezon City.

Clean and reliable water for schoolchildren in the West Zone. Maynilad officials, led by Corporate Social Responsibility manager Nerissa Jose (extreme left), join Toro Hills Elementary School principal Edgardo Morales (second from left) and students as they try out their brand new drinking station, which was awarded by Maynilad under its pilot community service program for schools dubbed “Lingkod Eskuwela.” Besides the drinking station, Maynilad also provided technical assistance in the improvement and maintenance of the internal water distribution system of 15 beneficiary public schools under the program.

“ Nagagalak kami sa mga serbisyo at drinking station na ibinigay ng Maynilad dito sa Toro Hills Elementary School. Alam niyo namang napakahirap kapag kapos tayo sa tubig at mga outlet ng tubig, lalo para sa mga bata ,” Principal Edgardo Morales said. Toro Hills Elementary School has over 5,000 students and 112 faculty members.

Maynilad also assured that it would regularly monitor the quality and availability of water in the said schools.

“ Salamat po sa Maynilad dahil di na po kami bibili ng mga kaklase ko ng ice water na P5 po ang isa ,” Grade 4 student Vincent Matias said.

Maynilad initiated this effort in cognizance of the fact that most public schools have limited or no resources to regularly and properly maintain their water system. This situation results to unsanitary conditions in the campus, making schoolchildren vulnerable to water-borne diseases like cholera, typhoid fever and gastroenteritis.

Maynilad CSR manager Nerissa Jose said that Lingkod Eskuwela was implemented in coordination with the Department of Education and in support of the effort to fight water-borne diseases under the Health Education Reform Order (HERO).

“While less deadly illnesses caused by the unchecked water supply contribute to a student's absenteeism and poor performance in class, inadequate water also encourages poor hygiene,” Jose added.

Maynilad also launched an information drive on water resources, water production and distribution, and sewerage and sanitation in the chosen schools.

Jose added that with the success of the pilot project, Maynilad is set to implement a more comprehensive CSR program for more schools in the West Zone.

Lingkod Eskuwela is in line with the company's mission to become an active partner in the building of healthy, dynamic and progressive communities in the West Zone.