On 30 August 2024, the MWSS Regulatory Office held its 27th Anniversary Celebration at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City. The event, which carried the theme “Milestone in Motion,” featured the launch of the MWSS RO’s Sex Disaggregated Water Data (SDWD) Project.
In his opening remarks, Chief Regulator Patrick Lester N. Ty described the SDWD Project—an initiative spearheaded by the Office’s Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS)—as a decisive step towards true progress in sustainable water management, where both men and women are empowered and have equal opportunities. Meanwhile, the keynote speech of Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonio Yulo-Loyzaga was delivered to the audience by National Water Resources Board (NWRB) OIC Deputy Executive Director Geraldine D. Ramos.
MWSS RO GFPS Chairperson and Deputy Administrator (DA) for Administration and Legal Affairs (ALA-DA) Claudine B. Orocio-Isorena presented the SDWD Project report highlights. She explained that the initiative, which gathered responses from nearly 2,452 customers, provides valuable insights that will inform planning, budgeting, and policy formulation. ALA-DA Orocio-Isorena also emphasized the Office’s ongoing efforts to empower women to recognize and express their contributions and needs in water management. Through this project, she highlighted MWSS RO’s goal of fostering more inclusive dialogue among local and international stakeholders.
During the event, partner agencies and stakeholders such as the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System – Corporate Office, Manila Water., Maynilad Water Services, Inc. and Office of the Government Corporate Counsel delivered their commitment statements and messages of support for a more gender-responsive water management. MWSS CO Administrator Leonor C. Cleofas, Manila Water Enterprise Regulatory Affairs Group Director Jo Kristine G. Celera, Maynilad Corporate Affairs and Communications Head and Senior Associate Vice President Marie Antonette H. De Ocampo, and OGCC Government Corporate Attorney Aiza Camille O. España represented their respective agencies.
Following this, MWSS RO employees who have served the Office for ten to twenty-five years were honored with loyalty awards for their unwavering commitment and invaluable contributions.
The MWSS RO also recognized top Local Government Units (LGU) within the Concession Areas with outstanding desludging availment rates in 2023, through the “Gawad para sa Kaagapay sa Kalusugan at Kapaligiran” award. DILG Philippines Undersecretary for Project Development Management Odilon L. Pasaraba delivered a special message for the awardees. The cities/municipalities in the East and West Concession Areas that received recognition were:
– Caloocan City
– Makati City
– Quezon City
– Paranaque City
– Taguig City
– Angono, Rizal
– Antipolo City, Rizal
– Imus City, Cavite
As it marks its 27th year, the MWSS RO remains committed to breaking barriers, transforming behaviors, and promoting equitable access to our most vital resource—water.
Check out MWSS RO’s programs, activities, and projects through this link: https://ro.mwss.gov.ph/