ripples - Maynilad Water Services Inc.Rosmon Tuazon Maynilad’s Battle Cry for 2010: Go for Excellence! MAYNILAD president Rogelio L. Singson challenged all employees to “go for

2 ripples January 2010

Editorial Note

Editorial Director : Cherubim G. OcampoEditor in Chief : Jennifer R. CasipitManaging Editor : Rosmon M. TuazonAssociate Editors : 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

Circulation Manager : Grace A. Laxa

Photographer : 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: [email protected] and [email protected]

Maynilad goes for excellence!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.

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.

“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.

Happy new year everyone and let’s all go for excellence!

FEATURES3 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

engineers graduation rites

10 Strategies for excellence

NEWS

13 Foreign expert to train

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

bring water to Isla Puting Bato

REGULAR COLUMNS12 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

16 Dong’s Corner

Unclogging a sink in a safe and environment-

friendly manner

18 Inflow, Outflow

My resolutions for the New Year

(at work and at home)

20 The Men and Women

of Maynilad

Central Lab

IN THIS ISSUEJanuary 2010

3Maynilad Water Services, Inc.

Features

He 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

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.”

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’s Battle Cry for 2010:

Go for Excellence!MAYNILAD president Rogelio L. Singson challenged all employees to “go for excellence” this year by enhancing our technical expertise and intensifying our customer focus.

By Jennifer Casipit

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.

Contractors installing a steel reinforcement cage at the PAGCOR Pumping Station project site.

Construction of the Villamor Pumping Station Pump House

4 ripples January 20104 ripples January 2010

Features

This 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.

HMC stressed the need to continue reviewing current practices, policies and systems to rationalize and simplify work processes in the company.

“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.

HMC sets operational direction in 2010

Areas for improvementHMC identified the following areas of Operations that need further enhancement: Upgrade the current computer software to address increasing needs for real-time and simultaneous access to the database; populate the General Information System (GIS) to manage capital infrastructure and expenditures;

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.

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.

By Jennifer Casipit

MAYNILAD has accomplished a lot in the past three years, but there is still much to be done.

5Maynilad Water Services, Inc. 5Maynilad Water Services, Inc.

New water sourcesHMC 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.

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’...”

Chief Operating Officer Herbert Consunji

Installation of Pressure Regulating Valve under the Total Pipe Replacement Project in Sampaloc


Features

with the presidentONE ONE

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.

on


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.

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.

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.


Normen 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.

The idea and promise of Ripples

Makeover

Designing the new cover

After 90 entries, Ripples won. Next...

Visualizing the name

Features

By Jennifer Casipit

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.

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.

New Columns

Before

After

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.



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.

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

MVP graces 6th cadet engineers graduation ritesBy Mikoy Arcaina

“To be successful, you must take what’s given and convert them into opportunities.”

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 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.

Success can only spring from values—being honest and truthful, especially to yourself

- Manuel V. Pangilinan

This 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


Features

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.

Ronnie 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.

Be motivated, keep motivating1. 2.

Company 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

improve, innovate and change,” he avers.

Despite a reduction in manpower, Butch rebuilt the Controllership team and managed to churn out accurate and timely financial reports. This development, according to CFO Randolph Estrellado, allowed Maynilad to not only meet parent company deadlines but also have sufficient time for analysis prior to ExCom and ManCom presentations.

“Butch attained these improvements, not by doing everything himself, but by empowering his managers and section heads to do the jobs they were meant to do,” Estrellado noted.

Butch shares that during his first month on the job, he heard the company’s external auditors comment that it was difficult to audit Maynilad. “I promised them it will be better,” he said. “I believe I have kept that promise to them and to my team. However, it is still a work in progress and there are still gaps to be filled.”

Improve, innovate and change

Strategies for Excellence

Ronnie PaduaWater Network Head

Lear

n fr

om

the

m

aste

rs


3.

Company 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

improve, innovate and change,” he avers.

Despite a reduction in manpower, Butch rebuilt the Controllership team and managed to churn out accurate and timely financial reports. This development, according to CFO Randolph Estrellado, allowed Maynilad to not only meet parent company deadlines but also have sufficient time for analysis prior to ExCom and ManCom presentations.

“Butch attained these improvements, not by doing everything himself, but by empowering his managers and section heads to do the jobs they were meant to do,” Estrellado noted.

Butch shares that during his first month on the job, he heard the company’s external auditors comment that it was difficult to audit Maynilad. “I promised them it will be better,” he said. “I believe I have kept that promise to them and to my team. However, it is still a work in progress and there are still gaps to be filled.”

Improve, innovate and change

Rise to challenges

Christian 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.”

Strategies for Excellence

Butch BarandaComptroller

Mark DatuDDSSTP Head

Ronnie with his former staff at the South Manila BA before his transfer to the Water Network.

Butch at the Socea Bonna warehouse with his staff.

Mark with wife, Michelle, and kids Aidan Raize and Amiel Franc.


Gift 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?

By Luis Mauricio Lerma

DOING RIGHT

Column

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.

A bribe or not a bribe: that is the question

Bribery creates distrust of a company.

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.

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:

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-of-ownership.

In any transaction ruled by bribery, those who have the deepest pockets will always prevail.

1 3

4

2

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.


Keep to the straight and narrow with the help of our Internal Audit’s counsel on ethical behavior at work.


The 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

News

Maynilad joins arms with USAID, Indah Water Konsortium

The 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.

According to Maynilad Sewerage and Sanitation head Antonio Garcia, the main goal of the Maynilad-IWK Twinning arrangement is to exchange

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.

The partnership will prioritize promoting Maynilad’s free septage-collection activities and sewerage projects in communities near

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.

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.


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.

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.

By Ricardo Jose Miranda, M.D.

DOC RIC SAYS

Column

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

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.

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.


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.

Walk. Run. Dance. It doesn’t matter. Just make exercise a part of your daily routine.

Mmmm. Maybe just a little,

once in a while, won’t hurt.


By Ryan Jamora

NRW Watch

Column

MAYNILAD is now actively looking for new technologies

and equipment to boost its leak detection efforts and, consequently, its Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Reduction Program.

One such equipment, called the Sahara Leak Detection System, is now being considered as an alternative for pinpointing leaks, especially in main water trunklines.

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

Detecting leaks gets more hi-tech

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.

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.

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.

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.


DONG’S CORNER

Column

Clogged 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.

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

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.

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 6Repeat if necessary.

There is an alternative to fixing this problem without pouring anything toxic down your drain.

Step 1Clear away any waste left in the sink. Make sure that no leftovers or wastes are left.

Step 2Pour 1/4 cup of baking soda down the drain.

Step 3Pour in one cup of vinegar into the drain.

Step 4Cover 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.

Step 5Rinse the drain with hot water to clear it out.


Four Maynilad facilities now IMS certifiedBy Rosmon Tuazon

News

LLDA grants Maynilad “Blue” Rating

The Laguna Lake Develop-ment Authority (LLDA) recently granted Maynilad’s Dagat-Dagatan Sewage and Septage Treatment Plant (DDSSTP) a Certificate of Recognition for attaining a “BLUE” rating for its 2008 environmental perfor-mance by complying with the LLDA’s standards and regula-tory requirements. This is the second consecutive year that Maynilad’s Dagat-Dagatan plant received the accolade.

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).

The 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.

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.

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 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

Tondo Pumping Station

La Mesa Treatment Plant 1


By Christian Marx G. Villa

INFLOW, OUTFLOW

Column

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 heaven-sent 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

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)

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 parent-maintained, bottomless pit of cash.

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.

Villa (left) with PMG officials and the Business Development Team

Christian Marx Villa (standing) with officemate Jonet Sanalila.

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 heaven-sent blessing, and as such, doing exceptionally good at it is my worship to God.

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.


The registration fair, held in cooperation with the Kapit-Bisig

Para sa Ilog Pasig program of ABS-CBN 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.

By Rosmon Tuazon

Free sewer connection drive held

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.

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.

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.

Paco residents take advantage of the one-day free sewer connection registration fair.

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.

Residents 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.”

New partnerships, new pipeline bring water to Isla Puting Bato

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.

Tondo BA head Tony Uy (right) checks on the effect to the community of having affordable water from Maynilad’s public faucets.

News

The 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.

Central LabWorking 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.

The Men and Women of Maynilad

It’s a very fulfilling job because we know that our work is critical to our customers’ well-being 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 PhotosRise Ann XavierMichelle EstebanGian Carlo ReyesJeffrey de Vera

Design & Layout : Houseblend Design

ripples - Maynilad Water Services Inc.Rosmon Tuazon Maynilad’s Battle Cry for 2010: Go for Excellence! MAYNILAD president Rogelio L. Singson challenged all employees to “go for

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