Go for Excellence! - Maynilad Water Services Inc.

Editorial Note
Maynilad goes
for excellence!
IN THIS ISSUE
2010 is turning out to be another exciting year
for Maynilad. After three years of upgrading,
streamlining and catching up, we are now moving
towards a more defining direction.
FEATURES
I say this because the things that we will
accomplish this year will determine our value and
position as an organization. If we really want to be
a world class and customer focused corporation
then it’s time that we go for technical and service
excellence.
January 2010
3 Maynilad’s Battle Cry for 2010:
Go for Excellence!
4 HMC sets operational direction in 2010
6 One-on-One with
the president
8 The idea and promise of Ripples
9 MVP graces 6th cadet “Excellence” as a company-wide standard may
seem intimidating to some but experience should
tell us that Maynilad is more than equipped to rise
to the challenge. After all, not many organizations
can go through what Maynilad has gone through
and still emerge triumphant.
engineers graduation rites
Happy new year everyone and let’s all go for
excellence!
13 Foreign expert to train
10 Strategies for excellence
NEWS
Maynilad engineers
13 Maynilad joins arms with USAID, Indah Water Konsortium
17 Four Maynilad facilities now IMS certified
17 LLDA grants Maynilad “Blue” Rating
19 Free sewer connection drive held
19 New partnerships, new pipeline
Editorial Director
:
Editor in Chief
:
Managing Editor
:
Associate Editors :
Cherubim G. Ocampo
Jennifer R. Casipit
Rosmon M. Tuazon
Mitchie M. Arcaina
Reggie M. Indon
Correspondents: Paulo M. Catibayan, Tita V. Mancera,
Sisenando T. Lampa, Yolanda C. Lucas, Diosdado N.
Samia, Rodrigo O. Yabut, Elizabeth S. David, Roan
M. Cortez, Lolit M. Lota, Tess M. Artiaga, Victorino M.
Gamboa, Ryan B. Jamora
REGULAR COLUMNS
12 Doing Right
A bribe or not a bribe: that is the question
14 Doc Ric Says
Detoxifying after the holiday’s excesses
15 NRW Watch
Detecting leaks gets more hi-tech
Circulation Manager : Grace A. Laxa
16 Dong’s Corner
Photographer
Unclogging a sink in a safe and environment-
friendly manner
: Federico L. Juane
Ripples is the official publication of Maynilad Water
Services, Inc. for Maynilad employees and friends.
Ripples welcomes contributions, letters, photos, and
artwork for publication. However, these materials
become Ripples property and are subject to editorial
changes. Send contributions to the Corporate Affairs
and Public Relations Department, 2/F Maynilad Bldg.,
MWSS Compound, Katipunan Road, Balara, Quezon
City; Tel. Nos. 981-3451 to 52; Email: jennifer.casipit@
mayniladwater.com.ph and [email protected]
2
bring water to Isla Puting Bato
ripples January 2010
18 Inflow, Outflow
My resolutions for the New Year
(at work and at home)
20 The Men and Women
of Maynilad
Central Lab
Features
Maynilad’s Battle Cry for 2010:
Go for Excellence!
By Jennifer Casipit
MAYNILAD president Rogelio L. Singson
challenged all employees to “go for excellence”
this year by enhancing our technical expertise
and intensifying our customer focus.
H
e said that “Maynilad is now ready to leap-frog into
achieving excellence in its operations” after the
growing pains of the first three years under new owners
Metro Pacific Investments Corporation and DMCI
Holdings, Inc.
“Our corporate mindset should be how to achieve
excellence in the way we work as individuals and as a
team,” RLS said. “We should continue to challenge the
way we have been doing our work with the end goal of
improving it.” In an interview, RLS elaborates on the
strategic goals of Maynilad for 2010.
Reconfiguration, quantification,
effective cost reduction
The company should be able to provide 24-hour water
supply at 7 psi. pressure to 100 percent of the West
concession by 2012.
This can be accomplished through the reconfiguration
Contractors installing a steel reinforcement cage at the
PAGCOR Pumping Station project site.
In line with this is the efficient and timely repair of leaks.
Better quality and lower cost are likewise called for in
the construction and execution of company projects to
ensure cost effectiveness.
Customer focus, performance benchmarking, others
RLS emphasized quick response to complaints. “We
should continue to be more consumer-minded to ensure
that our customers are delighted with Maynilad’s
services in terms of quality and timeliness.”
Construction of the Villamor Pumping Station Pump House
of the network into several water districts, realignment
of the Business Areas, reassignment of manpower, and
use of the latest appropriate technology and pumping
station protocols.
Focusing the company’s Capital Expenditure (CAPEX)
on billed volume, meanwhile, should help to increase it
by 18 percent in 2010.
Another priority goal is the meeting of the 40 percent
internal target for Non-Revenue Water by the end of 2010.
Employee performance, in turn, will receive a boost
with benchmarking, as well as a planned bonus scheme
for high performers. Further streamlining efforts to
strengthen the organization are in the pipeline.
Meanwhile, P6.5 billion has been earmarked for this
year’s CAPEX budget to achieve desired financial targets.
Other action plans this year include the modernization
of Information Technology infrastructure and
applications, and the implementation of meaningful
sewerage and sanitation initiatives, particularly the
San Juan River Basin program. —With reports from
Rosmon Tuazon
Maynilad Water Services, Inc.
3
Features
HMC sets operational
direction in 2010
By Jennifer Casipit
MAYNILAD has accomplished a lot in
the past three years, but there is still
much to be done.
T
his was the observation of Chief Operating Officer
Herbert Consunji on the occasion of the company’s
third anniversary since new owners, Metro Pacific
Investments Corporation and DMCI Holdings, Inc. took
over West Zone operations in January 2007.
4
Areas for improvement
HMC identified the following areas of Operations
that need further enhancement: Upgrade the current
computer software to address increasing needs for realtime and simultaneous access to the database; populate
the General Information System (GIS) to manage
capital infrastructure and expenditures;
HMC stressed the need to continue reviewing current
practices, policies and systems to rationalize and
simplify work processes in the company.
Upgrade the procurement system and widen supplier
base; re-evaluate the capacity of contractors and
enhance contracting capability; develop employee skills;
and expose employees to new techniques, technology
and methodology.
“We have to persist in reaching new milestones while
we work on programs initiated during the previous
years. This year, we shall strive for Excellence and
develop new business opportunities for the company
and employees in the long-term,” he revealed.
To attain these goals and reach for excellence, HMC
says employees should show genuine concern and
support for their associates. “They must realize that
their next customer will benefit from their output,
which is their ‘product,’” he emphasized.
ripples January 2010
New water sources
HMC reported that the development of new water
sources is still underway despite the delay caused
by typhoon Ondoy. “The project in Putatan was
heavily affected. Good thing we managed to show our
customers in Ayala Alabang our resolve in minimizing
the effects of the storm.”
He also said new engineering solutions have been
implemented so the facility can withstand similar
calamities that may occur in the future.
Another water source is being developed in Cavite to
accelerate and enhance service area coverage in this
area of the concession. This is in line with Maynilad’s
goal of expanding to the south and eventually reaching
the millions of people who are still not connected to its
water network.
Chief Operating Officer Herbert Consunji
Installation of Pressure Regulating Valve under the Total
Pipe Replacement Project in Sampaloc
Employees should show genuine
concern and support for their
associates. “They must realize that
their next customer will benefit from
their output, which is their ‘product’...”
Maynilad Water Services, Inc.
5
Features
ONE ONE
on
with the president
We’ve all heard
the rallying call for
excellence in 2010. Now,
let’s learn more about
this initiative straight
from Maynilad president
Rogelio L. Singson.
6
ripples January 2010
This year, Maynilad employees are being challenged
to “Go for Excellence.” How do you define
excellence?
Excellence means we can compare with the best among
the world in terms of technical and service standards.
Without looking too far, we want to achieve what
Manila Water has done in a shorter period. We want
good corporate image, happy customers, 100 percent
service coverage with 24 hour x 16 psi. pressure, and
NRW below 30 percent.
What is the rationale behind the “Go for Excellence”
initiative? What does it hope to achieve?
For our organization to achieve excellence, we need
to develop in each employee two kinds of expertise: 1)
technical expertise – to be technically capable to do
our work very well, and 2) service expertise – that we
know how to satisfy our customers or the publics we
serve with a sense of urgency and culture of service. I
want to believe that Year 2010 should be Maynilad’s
turning point in terms of proving that Maynilad is really
a world-class water service provider.
What to you are the key characteristics of
an excellent individual worker? An excellent
organization?
As I mentioned, two key expertise—technical and
service expertise is what I expect from every employee
of Maynilad, regular or contractual.
In your own work, how do you impose on yourself
your personal standards of excellence?
I have to keep myself informed of the latest technology
available in the water industry. I have to keep pushing
for optimization of resources, continue to initiate
change in the culture of Maynilad to ensure that we
develop a culture of excellent service to our customers. I
have to make sure that there is synergy and high energy
in the organization. I have to set an example for this
passion for excellence.
What do you think are the obstacles to excellence
where employees and the organization are
concerned? How can these obstacles be
addressed?
We have taken our customers for granted. We have
looked at our customers as one monolithic type. We
actually have different customers with varying demands
and expectations. They are not just service account
numbers. We have not engaged with our customers.
We do not feel for our customers. We should really be
engaged with our customers to know what will make
them happy customers, not only today but for the years
to come.
For our organization to achieve
excellence, we need to develop in each
employee two kinds of expertise: 1)
technical expertise – to be technically
capable to do our work very well, and 2)
service expertise – that we know how
to satisfy our customers or the publics
we serve with a sense of urgency and
culture of service.
We should get worried if we will have El Nino this year.
How do we mitigate climate change so that we will be
able to provide excellent service. In the past, we have
taken for granted our customers. Of course, we always
cannot do what we want because there are existing
procedures, regulatory policies and external obstacles.
We just need to look at the way we do things to be able
to keep on improving our service and, at the same time,
optimize our resources.
It’s now officially the third year of Maynilad under
new management. Looking back, what do you
think are the strengths and weaknesses that the
company has exhibited?
We, of course, have very good and active support from
our principal shareholders—Metro Pacific and DMCI,
who have really supported Management. Our other
strength is really the openness of majority of Maynilad
employees to take on new challenges and major
changes.
I believe our employees now know how it feels to be
under a stressful rehabilitation program where people
do not know if they still will have jobs tomorrow. Our
weakness also comes from our own employees who
are still too laid back, who think they know everything
because they have been on the job all these years and
refuse to meet the challenge to change. For the few, they
will have to shape up because I will not allow them to
drag the rest of the organization.
Much has already been accomplished in Maynilad,
but what are your hopes for the coming year?
For 2010, after three years, we should really prove that
Maynilad is capable of giving our customers the best
quality service they deserve, that we know we are here
for good and that we are putting together a business
organization and a culture that is sustainable for the
long term. I just hope all our employees finally do
their work with passion to be excellent technically and
develop a culture of service.
My hope is for all our employees to develop a culture of
service not just for Maynilad customers but to develop
service as a way of life, to be able to serve others in
whatever capacity. After all, we are mandated by God to
love others, specially the least fortunate.
Maynilad Water Services, Inc.
7
Features
The idea and promise of Ripples
By Jennifer Casipit
In November last year, we challenged Maynilad
employees to give our newsletter a new name.
Over 90 entries were submitted, and from this
rich pool of suggestions, Ripples stood out for its
significance and suitability. After all, it signified
movement, expansion and dynamism—all of
which represented the new Maynilad.
After 90 entries, Ripples won. Next...
Visualizing the name
N
ormen Kahulugan, Fairview Business Area head,
came up with the name and we are grateful for his
submission. We could not have picked a better name for
our company newsletter.
Aside from the new name, we are also adopting a new
look, a new thrust and a new set of regular columns for
our newsletter. We want to expand our readership and
relevance by providing features and articles that relate
to our company, our business, and our stakeholders.
Any kind of change produces a ripple effect. We
hope that this particular transformation will
generate ripples of understanding, excitement
and appreciation from Maynilad all the way to its
stakeholders.
Makeover
Designing the new cover
Before
New Columns
Dong’s Corner
Maynilad’s friendly zone specialist, Dong, will be
sharing with readers some simple household
maintenance tips (plumbing, light fixtures,
electrical wirings, etc.) that will keep your homes
in tip-top shape.
NRW Watch
CNRW engineers give up-to-date accounts of
the company’s fight against water loss.
Doc Ric Says
Our resident doctor, Dr. Ric Miranda, will address
your health and wellness concerns, particularly
those pertaining to water.
Doing Right
Internal Audit will provide counsel on ethical
behavior in the workplace.
Inflow, Outflow
A free-for-all section where employees can
publish essays about company-relevant issues.
After
8
ripples January 2010
MVP graces 6th cadet
engineers graduation rites
By Mikoy Arcaina
“To be successful, you must
take what’s given and convert
them into opportunities.”
T
his priceless piece of advice
came from no less than
Maynilad chairman Manuel V.
Pangilinan, who graced the 6th
commencement exercise for the 60
graduates of the Maynilad Cadet
Engineer Program.
In his keynote speech, MVP urged
the graduates to strive for lofty goals
without losing their values. “Success
can only spring from values—being
honest and truthful, especially to
yourself,” he shared.
The 60 new cadet engineers
went through months of rigorous
training, and were assigned to
Central Non-Revenue Water,
Business Area Operations, Sewerage
and Sanitation, and Technical
Operations and Program
Management, to
further develop their
technical skills.
The top three
graduates of the
program were
recognized
for their
Maynilad chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan (seated, 8th from left) pose with the
cadet engineers after the graduation rites. He is joined by other Maynilad officials
led by COO Herbert Consunji, President and CEO Rogelio L. Singson, and
CHCOD head Roy Evalle, along with special guests Joey Lim, Ricky Vargas, Dr.
Cay Consunji, Robin Velasco, Dr. Rowena Guevara, and Francise Aldrine Uy.
outstanding achievements.
Reginald Bautista was awarded the
gold medal award, while Abigail
Atienza and Xandra Borais received
the silver and bronze medals,
respectively.
Maynilad president and CEO
Rogelio L. Singson congratulated
the graduates and praised the
faculty members and program
organizers for the improvements
they made on the cadet program.
Success can only spring from
values—being honest and truthful,
especially to yourself
- Manuel V. Pangilinan
Calling on Maynilad leaders to go
for excellence in 2010, RLS asked
everyone to put a premium on
accountability in creating value
through people. He challenged
the cadets, in turn, to understand
the company’s long-term business
strategy and recognize that technical
knowledge and good customer
service must go together to fulfill
excellence.
Corporate Human Capital and
Organization Development head
Roy Evalle in turn spoke with pride
for the opportunity to provide
potable water to those who need it.
“While we have a business to grow
and an organization to develop, we
need to have compassion to ensure
that the greatest miracle that God
has given us, we can give—water,”
he said.
The commencement rites featured
the speeches of 14 cadets,
who recounted their personal
experiences during the training
program. They also elaborated
on how these experiences have
prepared them well for the work
they’ll be undertaking in Maynilad.
Also present during the event were
Joey Lim, president of Metro Pacific
Investments Corporation; Ricky
Vargas, Human Resources SVP of
PLDT; Dr. Cay Consunji, president
of Cardinal Santos Medical Center;
Robin Velasco, director of MPIC
Group Human Resources; Dr.
Rowena Guevara, dean of the
University of the Philippines College
of Engineering; Francise Aldrine
Uy, dean of the Mapua School of
Civil Engineering; and the alumni of
all previous batches of the Maynilad
Cadet Engineer Program.
Maynilad Water Services, Inc.
9
Features
Strategies for Excellence
By Jennifer Casipit
Different people have different strategies for achieving work
excellence.
In this issue of Ripples, we highlight the strategies adopted by
Maynilad employees who have received the Golden Meter Award
for their exceptional performance at work. We hope that by
sharing their stories, readers can develop their own strategies for
achieving excellence.
1.
Be motivated,
keep motivating
2.
Imp
and
Ronnie Padua
Water Network Head
Learn from the
masters
R
onnie Padua joined Maynilad in
June 1999, and worked his way
up from structural design to head of
Water Network. His movement from
one department to another immersed
him in the lives of his staff and
colleagues.
Though this proved tiring, he would
have it no other way. “I love being
able to help other people in my own
little way, particularly my staff. I want to see them shine in their
own careers,” he says. “As a leader, I’m more of a motivator. I
think my purpose in life is to touch someone else’s life and make a
difference.”
Ronnie’s ability to stay motivated became especially useful when
he spearheaded the GIS (Geographic Information System) Project,
as well as the decommissioning works and water audit for the
South Manila Business Area (BA). The result of his initial efforts is
now being used to build a map indicating Maynilad’s underground
assets so these are maximized. He managed all these while seeing
to the day-to-day operations of what became the top-performing
BA at that time.
“I love my job—motivating my staff, improving water supply, and
doing something good for society. The fact that I’m getting paid
for it is just a bonus,” he says.
10
ripples January 2010
improve, innovate and c
Despite a reduction in m
team and managed to c
reports. This developme
allowed Maynilad to not
also have sufficient time
presentations.
“Butch attained these im
himself, but by empowe
the jobs they were mea
Butch shares that durin
company’s external aud
Maynilad. “I promised th
kept that promise to the
in progress and there ar
Ronnie with his former staff at the
South Manila BA before his transfer
to the Water Network.
prove, innovate
d change
3.
Butch at the Socea Bonna
warehouse with his staff.
Mark with wife, Michelle,
and kids Aidan Raize and
Amiel Franc.
Rise to challenges
Butch Baranda
Mark Datu
C
C
Comptroller
ompany comptroller Butch
Baranda is a calm and focused
worker with a ready smile for everyone.
He is very passionate about getting
things done, and is credited for
significantly improving the cycle time
for finalizing financial reports.
“Excellence to me is about acting
upon my constant dissatisfaction at
work. I believe there is always room to
change,” he avers.
manpower, Butch rebuilt the Controllership
churn out accurate and timely financial
ent, according to CFO Randolph Estrellado,
t only meet parent company deadlines but
e for analysis prior to ExCom and ManCom
mprovements, not by doing everything
ering his managers and section heads to do
ant to do,” Estrellado noted.
ng his first month on the job, he heard the
ditors comment that it was difficult to audit
hem it will be better,” he said. “I believe I have
em and to my team. However, it is still a work
re still gaps to be filled.”
DDSSTP Head
hristian Mark Datu has gone a
long way since he first joined
Maynilad in 2001 as field engineer
in the Sanitation Department.
Today, he heads the Dagat-Dagatan
Sewage and Septage Treatment
Plant (DDSSTP), the first Integrated
Management System (IMS)-certified
sewage and septage treatment
facility in the Asia-Pacific region.
Overseeing the efficient operation of the two plants is challenging
enough since it involves equipment maintenance, facility upkeep,
bio-solids management, systems performance and analysis, and
wastewater sampling and analysis. Doing all these while ensuring
compliance and documentation of IMS in the plant was a different
challenge altogether.
According to Mark, operating under IMS was particularly difficult
because it meant encouraging everyone—employees, contractors,
and visitors alike—to strictly follow IMS procedures. “This is a new
culture for them, so I had to shake people out of their contentment
with the old system of doing things,” he admitted. “I regularly
encouraged everyone to accept that the success of the IMS will
not depend on one person only but on every single person’s
participation and involvement.”
Maynilad Water Services, Inc.
11
Column
DOING RIGHT
Keep to the straight and narrow
with the help of our Internal
Audit’s counsel on ethical
behavior at work.
By Luis Mauricio Lerma
A bribe or not a bribe:
that is the question
G
ift giving comes naturally to
us Filipinos. Directed toward
friends and relatives, it is a sign of
affection. For business associates,
it is often a sign of gratitude
for the profits generated by the
relationship.
In business, however, this activity
sometimes crosses the boundaries
of friendship. It becomes a means of
influencing actions to provide some
kind of advantage for the gift-giver.
In other words, it becomes a bribe.
The challenge to us, therefore,
is in deciding whether the act of
giving is permissible or not. While
there are instances when such
actions are either clearly acceptable
or unacceptable, there are also
instances when it is not so easy to
make a decision.
So how do we distinguish between a
business gift and a bribe?
Determining when an offer
is a bribe requires common
sense and powers of moral
deliberation. These kinds of
abilities should be a part of our
professional training.
Before answering the question, let us look first at
some of the effects of a bribe on a company that
operates in an open and free market:
1
2
12
Instead of procuring the best
products and services at the
best price, bribery corrupts
the free-market mechanism
by making purchases that
do not reward the most
efficient producer, resulting to
an increase in total-cost-ofownership.
In any transaction ruled by
bribery, those who have the
deepest pockets will always
prevail.
ripples January 2010
3
Bribery creates distrust of a
company.
4
It degrades all those whose
honor can be bought and
sold.
Even if we agree that bribery
is obviously inappropriate,
there is still the problem of
determining what is and
isn’t a bribe, and when an
action is just considered
inappropriate under normal
business practice.
To answer the question, we have to
refer to our corporate policies—the
documented set of broad guidelines
that direct our decisions and actions
toward the achievement of company
objectives. Do our policies address
this particular issue? If the answer
is no, then the second point of
reference would be the company’s
core values. These values were
created to guide our conduct in
the performance of our duties as
representatives of the company. In
most instances, our core values will
steer us in the right direction.
Determining when an offer is a
bribe requires common sense and
powers of moral deliberation. These
kinds of abilities should be a part of
our professional training.
When in doubt, always seek advice
from your superiors, and be mindful
that your actions will reflect on our
company.
News
Foreign expert to train
Maynilad engineers
By Rosmon Tuazon
Pressure Pipe Inspection
Company (PPIC), a world leader
in large diameter water and
wastewater pipeline condition
assessment, will train selected
Maynilad engineers in the use of
Sahara®, the first tool designed
for live inspection of large
diameter water pipes.
T
he Sahara Leak Detection
System is said to be the most
accurate tool available for detecting
leaks, pockets of trapped gas, and
structural defects in large mains.
It uses a sensor that can determine
the location of leaks as small as 1
liter/hour and other pipe defects to
within 18 inches (500-mm) in real
time.
A notable advantage of using
Sahara® is its non-disruptive
inspection capability. With this
technology, pipe inspections can be
conducted without implementing
water service interruptions.
In the photo (from left), Maynilad Chief Operating Officer Herbert Consunji,
Maynilad President Rogelio Singson, PPIC President Brian Mergelas and PPIC
VP for Corporate Development David Roy sign the service agreement at the
Maynilad Head Office in Balara, Quezon City. Witnessing the contract signing are
other Maynilad officials.
Once Maynilad’s engineers have
been fully trained and certified by
PPIC, they can begin using Sahara®
to help reduce Non-Revenue Water
(NRW) in the West Zone.
Since 2007, Maynilad has adopted
modern leak detection tools and
methods for its comprehensive
water loss reduction program. Since
then, water loss level has decreased
from 66 to 59 percent. For every
1 percent reduction in NRW level,
Maynilad recovers around 23
million liters of water a day, which
it then allocates to areas that need
additional supply. With reports
from Rolixto Jodieres Jr.
Maynilad joins arms with USAID,
Indah Water Konsortium
Maynilad recently forged an alliance with the
United States Agency for International
Development (USAID) and the Indah Water
Konsortium (IWK) of Malaysia to promote the
company’s sanitation program and facilitate the
development of sewerage systems in various
communities in the West Zone.
T
he collaboration is part of the
Twinning Partnerships—a
program founded by USAID and
International Water Association which
aims to facilitate capacity building
and exchange of technical expertise
among water and sewerage
operators to improve access to water
and basic sanitation around the
globe.
best practices with the Malaysian
firm to help improve the capability of
Maynilad to develop and implement
sewerage and sanitation projects.
“This would include selection of
appropriate technology, evaluation
of designs, project management and
even operation and maintenance of
sewage treatment plants,” Garcia
said.
According to Maynilad Sewerage
and Sanitation head Antonio Garcia,
the main goal of the Maynilad-IWK
Twinning arrangement is to exchange
The partnership will prioritize
promoting Maynilad’s free septagecollection activities and sewerage
projects in communities near
Maynilad officers, led by President
Rogelio L. Singson, present a token of
appreciation to Jay Tecson, Jennifer
Kovolski, and Linda Shi (first, fifth and
sixth from left) of USAID arm EcoAsia,
after discussing the details of their
collaboration.
waterways such as Dario Creek and
San Francisco Creek in Quezon
City. These areas are site to two of
Maynilad’s 13 Sewerage Treatment
Plant projects to be implemented in
2011.
Maynilad Water Services, Inc.
13
Column
DOC RIC SAYS
By Ricardo Jose Miranda, M.D.
Got some health and wellness
concerns? Our resident medical
expert, Doc Ric, will help you
address these concerns to keep
you in excellent shape.
Detoxifying after the holiday’s excesses
Dear Doc Ric:
I think I gained a hundred pounds
during the long vacation. Now, I
feel sluggish at work and I am tired
and cranky all the time. Any advice
on how I can get my old jolly self
back?— Overstuffed
Dear Overstuffed:
I understand what you mean.
The holiday mood is not exactly
conducive to healthy living. It’s
not only the season to be jolly but
also the season for overindulgence.
People enjoy rich and heavy meals,
party more, get less sleep, and feel
the stress of Christmas shopping.
Consequently, you don’t get much
exercise and relaxation.
Eat more fiber. Apples, bran,
beans, almonds, spinach and other
fiber-rich food can move toxins out
of our system.
Go fresh and lean. Opt for
unprocessed food such as fresh
veggies, fish, and whole-grain
breads.
Put down that saltshaker. Too
much salt forces your body to retain
water, causing that unpleasant
bloated feeling.
Have a strict diet plan. Do not
make up for that Noche Buena by
skipping meals. Instead, eat five
small meals a day so unhealthy
cravings are avoided. When a
craving proves irresistible, try
chewing on gum or mint.
Refresh your routine. In the midst
of the holiday rush, our fitness
regimen gets sidetracked. Resume
your routine, but take it slow. Don’t
run your usual five miles if you’ve
stopped running altogether during
the yuletide season. Start small until
you reach your old pace.
Mmmm.
Maybe just a little,
once in a while,
won’t hurt.
Get back on track by pushing hard
on your “reset” button and following
these post-holiday rejuvenation tips:
Reset your body. If you feel
bloated, heavy, lethargic, and
generally bummed out, try food and
drinks that have a cleansing effect.
Think crisp, clear, and fresh.
Sip on ginger tea. Ginger helps
digestion and can relieve nausea.
After waking up, drink warm water
with a twist of lemon. This gently
stimulates digestion.
14
ripples January 2010
Exercise burns off extra calories
while providing a healthy outlet
for stress. It also uplifts mood and
increases energy levels. Just think:
Two 20-minute walks per
day can translate to 28
pounds lost in a year!
Relax your mind. After
the Christmas gifts
are given away and all
leftovers banished from
the fridge, your mind will
need relief from the stress.
Resist caffeine. Give
your brain a break from
the jittery effects of
caffeinated drinks.
Let’s face it. Oily and fatty foods
are the yummiest, hence hard to
resist. But we must gain control
over our diet to stay in good health.
Stretch and breathe. Take a
few moments after getting up in
the morning to do some gentle
stretching and deep breathing.
Rest your senses. Avoid the
computer, TV, and even the
morning paper. All that stimulation
can make you tense and restless.
Meditate. This allows you to slow
down and look inward, putting your
body in a healing state.
Walk. Run.
Dance. It
doesn’t matter.
Just make
exercise a part
of your daily
routine.
Column
Reduction of water loss is an
ongoing battle for the company.
Get blow-by-blow accounts of
the developments straight from
Maynilad’s CNRW engineers.
NRW Watch
By Ryan Jamora
Detecting leaks gets more hi-tech
M
New technologies such as the Sahara Leak Detection System are
valuable innovations for Maynilad’s campaign of addressing and
managing NRW.
One such equipment, called the
Sahara Leak Detection System,
is now being considered as an
alternative for pinpointing leaks,
especially in main water trunklines.
flowing along with the direction
of water inside the pipe. A sensor
sends not only video recordings of
the pipe interior but also acoustic
signals from inside the pipe,
which are triggered by the noise
of water flowing either out of
leaks or unknown laterals/ service
connections. These signals are
received by a tracking tool worn by a
leak detector aboveground.
AYNILAD is now actively
looking for new technologies
and equipment to boost its leak
detection efforts and, consequently,
its Non-Revenue Water (NRW)
Reduction Program.
The Sahara is similar to Closed
Circuit TV (CCTV) in that it also
has a camera attached to a cable,
which is then inserted into a pipe
with a suspected leak. But unlike
CCTV, the Sahara can be operated
without implementing a water
service interruption. Thus, company
revenues and service to customers
remain unaffected while Maynilad
checks for leaks in the network.
The equipment works by floating
on a drogue that acts as a chute
The picture above (taken from
www.ppic.com) shows how the
equipment is set up.
Since leak detection is more difficult
in primary lines (pipe diameter
and noises from the environment
all contribute to the dissipation of
leak noise), Sahara is ideal for use
on transmission mains compared to
conventional acoustic leak detection
equipment. It carries out
investigation inside the
pipe, so the accuracy
of its findings can be
as close to a mere few
inches.
New technologies such
as the Sahara Leak
Detection System are
valuable innovations for
Maynilad’s campaign
of addressing and
managing NRW.
With Sahara,
detecting and
fixing leaks has
never been this
easy.
Maynilad Water Services, Inc.
15
Column
DONG’S CORNER
Aside from being a friendly Maynilad Zone
Specialist, Dong is also a regular handyman at
home. And beginning this issue, he will share
useful, practical tips on how you can address
your basic household plumbing concerns.
Unclogging a sink in a safe and
environment-friendly manner
C
logged sinks are a common
problem among households
because of improperly disposed
food, garbage, oil, and other wastes.
Most people use chemicals to
address this problem, without ever
considering the negative effects
of these chemicals on their piping
system, the environment and the
people who use it.
Chemical drain cleaners can cause
pipe corrosion. They can also
harm septic systems by killing
beneficial bacteria. If swallowed,
these chemicals can be toxic. They
can also burn eyes and skin if
improperly handled. Once poured
down drains, these chemicals can
also be released into our water
supply, thus endangering the
environment.
There is an alternative to fixing this problem without
pouring anything toxic down your drain.
Step 1
Clear away any waste left in the sink.
Make sure that no leftovers or wastes
are left.
Step 2
Pour 1/4 cup of baking soda down
the drain.
Step 3
Pour in one cup of vinegar into the
drain.
Step 6
Repeat if necessary.
Note: The contents of this column
are for educational and entertainment
purposes only, and should not be
interpreted as technical or professional
advice. Readers should contact a
trusted professional for their specific
plumbing problem.
Step 4
Cover the drain with a lid and wait
fifteen minutes. This will allow the
baking soda and vinegar to have a
chemical reaction which will dissolve
the clog in your sink.
16
ripples January 2010
Step 5
Rinse the drain with hot water to
clear it out.
News
Four Maynilad facilities
now IMS certified
By Rosmon Tuazon
Before the close of 2009, Maynilad’s Tondo Sewerage Pumping
Station and La Mesa Treatment Plant (LMTP) 1 and LMTP 2
successfully attained Integrated Management System (IMS)
accreditation, putting them alongside the Dagat-Dagatan
Sewage and Septage Treatment Plant (DDSSTP), which was
certified in March 2009.
T
he IMS accreditation confirms
that the systems and procedures
of the said facilities meet stringent,
international standards in Quality
Management (ISO 9001:2000),
Environmental Management (ISO
14001:2004), and Occupational
Safety and Health Management
(OHSAS 18001:2007). Having an
integrated system for managing
operations also enhances an
organization’s operational
efficiencies and risk management
capabilities.
LLDA grants
Maynilad
“Blue” Rating
The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) recently
granted Maynilad’s DagatDagatan Sewage and Septage
Treatment Plant (DDSSTP) a
Certificate of Recognition for
attaining a “BLUE” rating for
its 2008 environmental performance by complying with the
LLDA’s standards and regulatory requirements. This is the
second consecutive year that
Maynilad’s Dagat-Dagatan plant
received the accolade.
Tondo Pumping Station
La Mesa Treatment Plant 1
“The fact that we are benchmarked
internationally proves Maynilad’s
commitment in attaining service
excellence. We can proudly say
that Maynilad operates some
of the world’s best water and
sewerage facilities,” Environment
Management head and IMS
Management Review Committee
chairman Francisco Arellano said.
Dagat-dagatan Sewage and
Septage Treatment Plant
The IMS team, composed of
members from different Maynilad
operations and support groups,
worked for months to prepare the
facilities for onsite appraisal by
independent auditing body TUV
SUD PSB Philippines.
With four IMS-certified facilities,
Maynilad guarantees it is constantly
striving to meet the best standards
in water purification and sewerage
treatment processes and plant
protocols.
The certificate was awarded last
December 17, 2009 at the Crowne
Plaza, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.
Accepting the certificate were Ruby
Jean M. Sibulo (DDSSTP Plant
Chemist, 2nd from the left) and
Christian Mark E. Datu (DDSSTP
Plant Head, middle). Also in the
picture were Dolora N. Nepomuceno
(LLDA Assistant General Manager,
leftmost), Edgardo C. Manda (LLDA
General Manager, 2nd from the right)
and Jerry Parco (representative from
World Bank, rightmost).
Maynilad Water Services, Inc.
17
Column
INFLOW, OUTFLOW
By Christian Marx G. Villa
We want to know what you think so we’re
giving you your own column.
My resolutions for the New Year
(at work and at home)
M
y resolution for 2010 is a
simple mantra that I go by
every day in the office: “My work,
my worship.” My job is a heavensent blessing, and as such, doing
exceptionally good at it is my
worship to God. Maintaining this
perspective allows me to accomplish
more with a cheerful heart because I
know that my work pleases Him.
It was only last year when I joined
my department. Although I’ve been
blessed with the opportunity to
work with such warm and helpful
people, I would like to make even
more friends in the company this
year.
I am determined to give a helping
hand in the same way that other
people have not hesitated to lend
Villa (left) with PMG officials and the Business Development Team
My resolution for 2010 is a
simple mantra that I go by every
day in the office: “My work, my
worship.” My job is a heavensent blessing, and as such,
doing exceptionally good at it is
my worship to God.
On a final, more personal note,
I resolve to manage my finances
more efficiently. Having recently
graduated from college, I still
struggle with the idea that I can
no longer draw from a parentmaintained, bottomless pit of cash.
Christian Marx Villa (standing) with
officemate Jonet Sanalila.
me one when I needed it. For
2010, I wish to continue building
meaningful work relationships with
as many people as possible. My
goal is to be a positive and dynamic
force that serves to influence those
who are complacent, negative or
constantly complaining about their
jobs and the workplace.
18
ripples January 2010
Getting employed right after
graduation allowed me to cover
some of the needs of my family. In
2010, however, I resolve to save
more of my earnings to serve as a
contingency fund, particularly for
emergency hospitalizations. Just
the other day I realized my parents
are not getting any younger and
are beginning to get more prone to
sickness. I cannot keep relying on
my siblings to take care of them.
By staying true to my simple
mantra, I am positive that I can
achieve all these resolutions and
more this 2010.
Christian Marx G. Villa is a Special
Projects Specialist in the Business
Development Department. An avid
debater in college, Yang also worked
as a Junior Research Associate in
Business World, a leading business
newspaper in the country.
Handing Maynilad information materials to Bohol
governor Erico Aumentado.
News
Free sewer connection drive held
By Rosmon Tuazon
As part of its commitment to
help clean up the Pasig River,
Maynilad actively promoted the
advantages of having a sewer
line by visiting Paco Creek,
Manila, last December 8, 2009
to hold a free sewer service
connection drive among the
residents.
T
he registration fair, held in
cooperation with the Kapit-Bisig
Para sa Ilog Pasig program of ABSCBN Foundation, was part of the
Maynilad Sewerage and Sanitation
Department’s initiative to prioritize
projects that will benefit households
and establishments near the Pasig
River and its tributaries.
The activity aims to encourage the
households and establishments in
Paco, Manila to take advantage of
the free sewer service connection.
By installing sewerage facilities
and urging customers to connect,
Maynilad can help reduce the
thousands of liters of domestic
wastewater that go straight to Paco
Creek and later flow to Pasig River.
Paco residents take advantage of
the one-day free sewer connection
registration fair.
Connecting to a sewer line goes a
long way in the effort to protect the
environment, as it allows for the
proper collection, treatment and
disposal of wastewater generated by
households.
Also among Maynilad’s sewerage
programs is the putting up of a
sewage treatment facility near Paco
Creek by 2010. The Paco Sewage
Treatment Plant, which will have
a treatment capacity of 550 cubic
meters per day, will enable the
company to serve around 500
families, in addition to those who
are already connected to existing
sewer lines in the area.
New partnerships, new pipeline
bring water to Isla Puting Bato
For nearly a decade, poor
families in Puroks 1, 2, 3 and
4 in Isla Puting Bato in Tondo,
Manila depended on illegal
vendors for their daily water
supply.
R
esidents were forced to pay a
water pilfering syndicate P5 to
P12 per 20-liter container, after their
access to Maynilad’s water network
was disconnected in 2000 due to
outstanding bills that ballooned to P2
million.
Through the P6.92 million financial
grant from the office of Congressman
Benjamin Asilo, Maynilad was able to
lay a kilometer of new 100-mm pipes
from its mainline along Delpan corner
R-10 to the four puroks, which were
each installed with a bulk meter.
Maynilad also organized the residents
into four water associations—
Pinagkaisahang Samahang Maralita
ng Isla Puting Bato Puroks 1, 2, 3
and 4—which will oversee the new
water distribution system it installed
in the area. Protecting the pipes
from illegal connections and ensuring
the prompt payment of bills are
necessary to sustain the delivery of
safe, reliable and affordable water to
the more than 3,000 poor families in
Isla Puting Bato.
“The water we get directly from
Maynilad costs only P1 per
container,” said Romy Pa-a, water
associations chairman. “Maynilad
has always been the cheaper option;
also, we’re more assured of the
quality of our water now because we
know where it comes from.”
Tondo BA head Tony Uy (right) checks
on the effect to the community
of having affordable water from
Maynilad’s public faucets.
With the project, the residents of the
four puroks now enjoy reliable water
at 15 pounds per square inch (psi)
pressure. The savings generated
by the water associations are also
spent on improvement projects in the
community.
Maynilad Water Services, Inc.
19
The Men and Women of Maynilad
Central
Lab
Working for a basic service
provider is never easy. Because
millions of people depend
on us every day, we need
employees who are willing to do
extraordinary work—sometimes
at extraordinary times.
Beginning this issue, we will
feature Maynilad departments
and units who deserve to be
recognized for being truly
extraordinary.
May these groups inspire
others to continuously strive for
excellence in 2010.
T
he Central Laboratory ensures
that water supply in the West
Zone is fit for drinking. Inspectors
regularly draw water from over 870
sampling points in our concession
area so our chemists can perform
bacteriological, physical and
chemical examinations of our water
supply.
It’s a very fulfilling
job because we
know that our work
is critical to our
customers’ wellbeing and of course,
our company’s
success.
“The challenge of our work at Central
Lab is in managing the department’s
regular monitoring program even as
we address isolated water quality
issues, which have a direct impact on
our customers. We have to manage
all these demands with the limited
resources available,” shares Central
Lab head Teresita Mancera. “But it’s
also a very fulfilling job because we
know that our work is critical to our
customers’ well-being and of course,
our company’s success.”
In the Photos
Rise Ann Xavier
Michelle Esteban
Gian Carlo Reyes
Jeffrey de Vera
Design & Layout : Houseblend Design