MRWD Celebrates th 38 Anniversary
by Rona T. Lamerez
ROXAS CITY — The Metro Roxas Water District celebrates its 38th Anniversary with the theme “Sustaining Success, Amidst Challenges.”
The celebration last October 20-24, 2014 aimed to strengthen the unity of MRWD Employees throughout the years of challenges and counting.
ANNIVERSARY /2
Metro Roxas Water District at its Peak of Excellence
by Victoria V. Pabelonia
ALMOST 39 YEARS of unparalleled service to the people of Roxas City and still counting. Metro Roxas Water District (MRWD) continues to strive at its best to maintain the quality of service they have been offering to the concessionaires ever since the said institution was established.
MRWD employees during its Fun Walk Activity in line with its 38th Anniversary.
MRWD Joins Tugbong Festival 2014 by Felixberto P. Baguyo, Jr. PANITAN, CAPIZ — Metro Roxas Water District joins the annual festival of the municipality of Panitan, Capiz. Personnel of the MRWD took part in the town’s 2014 Tugbong Festival in honor of St. Lawrence the Deacon and conducted the first “MRWD Day” in the municipality last August 9, 2014. In the said event, MRWD showcased its rich history through a video presentation. Basic customer services to all interested individuals were likewise provided through the establishment of complaint desk
MRWD personnel with GM Delgado in the Public Plaza of Panitan, Capiz that caters to their concerns such as connection leakage, and billing adjustment. Refreshing MRWD bottled
waters were also distributed for free along with informative brochures and “Tubi” newsletter.
TUGBONG /2
EXCELLENCE /3
MRWD Board Liberalizes Availment of Discount for Senior Citizens by Ethel Marie L. Arquisola ROXAS CITY — The Metro Roxas Water District sets policies to liberalize the granting of discount on the monthly bills of water consumption of senior citizens. This is to better serve and facilitate the delivery of privileges to the elderly. In September 30, 2010, the Metro Roxas Water District Interim Board passed IBOD Resolution No. 99, Series of 2010 which adopts LWUA Memorandum Circular No. 008-10 dated July 22, 2010 relative to Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.
Article 12, Section 1 of said law grants a minimum of 5% discount relative to the monthly consumption of water provided that the name of the individual meters are registered in the name of the residing senior citizen.
DISCOUNT /4
For pipeline leaks and other water service line concerns, please call (036) 6210-044 or 6210-737 locals 117 and 103
2
Issue No.6
TUBI NEWSLETTER Management & Editorial Staff
BOARD OF DIRECTORS ATTY. RODELO G. FRANCO Chairman
DR. ANTONIO A. BALGOS Vice-Chairman
MS. MA. LUZ E. DEL PUERTO Secretary
ENGR. JESUS M. DIAZ Member
MANAGEMENT ENGR. GONZALO GLEN B. DELGADO General Manager
EDITORIAL STAFF DANTE A. ARCANGELES Editor-in-Chief
ETHEL MARIE L. ARQUISOLA Associate Editor
CONTRIBUTORS FRANCIS B. DADULA (ABC) DONNALEE D. DEONDO (Admin) SHALMAHR B. VITO (Gen. Services) RUTH L. JAMORA (ABC) JESSERIE O. CLORION (ABC) MICHAEL A. AGUILOS (Cust. Serv’s.) REYNOLD D. ANDRADA (Cust. Accts.) RIANN B. BRILLO (CMD) FRANCIS C. JOCSON (Planning & Design) ALLAN D. ALCORANO (Operation & Maint.) VICTORIA V. PABELONIA (Quality Control) HERBERT B. ROXAS (Quality Control)
GRAPHICS DESIGN / PHOTOGRAPHER HENDEN P. ALIMEN FELIXBERTO P. BAGUYO, JR. RONA T. LAMEREZ LEO M. LEONOR
ANNIVERSARY /1
The 5-day event consists of different sporting activities, fun run, games, contests and fellowship night. It was participated in by different teams comprising of the 9 divisions of MRWD. The opening ceremony was held at Dinggoy Roxas Civic Center led by General Manager Gonzalo Glen Delgado which was followed by the bowling tournament for men and women ensued at La Hacienda Bowling Center. Basketball for men and women and board games were likewise done. A thanksgiving mass and Employees Fellowship Night concluded the celebration.
TUGBONG /1
Mayor Generoso D. Derramas extended his warmhearted gratitude to Engr. Gonzalo Glen B. Delgado and to all MRWD staff in making the said event a success. The event concluded with a handful of fun games along with cash prizes led by an energetic clown which was participated in by all Patin-ananon kids and folks.
|
July — December 2014
Service Water In the past, service water is one that does not meet drinking water quality standards. It is mainly used in resource-intensive industries. Nowadays, often you would hear service water in restaurants, eatery, café or bistro as a choice of drink. Impliedly, the operational meaning of service water is slowly adopting a more valuable sense of commodity – potability. Metro Roxas Water District is one of the privileged few to have its owned and controlled Water Treatment Plant. Accordingly, the water drawn from the source is being monitored, examined and checked in an hourly basis. Sanitary survey is done daily at the farthest point of the distribution line to monitor the residual chlorine. Thus, MRWD produces safe and potable water that conforms with the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water. The Provincial Government of Capiz has time and again recognized the importance of having readily available potable water direct from the faucets. Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution No. 103, series of 2014 – mandates the MRWD to campaign that its water-produced is safe for drinking. In industry’s parlance the availability of water supply, especially if it is potable, is both an opportunity and advantage. Since nearly every business sector is water-dependent in some way or another, we can say that without regular access to clean and safe water businesses or industries either have to shut down, raise prices or both. The dedicated service of MRWD in providing adequate and potable water to its service areas has been achieving recognition
EDITORIAL
and paying dividends via attracting investors and water-based industries as well as making Roxas City as one of the livable cities in the Philippines. The quality of water is directly linked to the quality of lives. By way of supporting our MRWD in whatever means we can in order to further improve its services, we are on the process of subsidizing and stewarding one of the greatest resources of nature towards the next generation. So that whenever we request for service water in any establishments, restos, companies, shops or enterprises within the province, we expect of that glass to be filled with tap water which is potable for drinking.
English and Writing Session for Tubi Newsletter Staff by Jesserie O. Clorion
ROXAS CITY — As part of the continuing program to improve and enhance the writing skills and technique of Tubi Newsletter Staff, the MRWD sponsored an English and Writing Session conducted by Mr. Niño Manaog, Editor in Chief of The Capiz Times, held at MRWD Main Office. The said Writing Session was participated by Tubi Newsletter staff as well as other interested employees of the District.
The 1-day intensive training workshop was directed towards
topics like basic grammar, writing style and self-editing.
The said workshop held last 18 August 2015 was definitely a success as indicated by the commendable attendance rate and active participation by the participants in workshopactivities. The workshop ended with a closing remarks from the EditorIn-Chief of Tubi NewsletterDante A. Arcangeles highlighting the importance of the seminar which gives greater confidence to the participants and extending gratitude to the Capiz Times.
MRWD Provisionally Suspends Water Increase for the Year 2014 by Reynold D. Andrada PENDING REVIEW by the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) Board of Trustees, the MRWD agreed to temporarily defer the implementation of the 29% water increase which is supposed to take effect on February 2014. The decision for deferment of water rate increase was brought about by the delay on the review and approval of the LWUA – the regulatory body authorized to review and approved tariff of local water districts. Despite the fact of its necessity, MRWD is duty
bound not to implement any increase until LWUA’s imprimatur, pointing out that the simultaneous dispute over the 29% increase would undeniably opens a continuing petition coming from the local government unit. The MRWD Management, despite of its immediate needs of water rate increase yielded to the wisdom of LWUA. “On our geared effort on convincing the public,it is of paramount importance to look over the welfare of the people from time to time, to gain their invaluable support”, MRWD General Manager Gonzalo Glen
Delgado said. In understanding, the Interim Board of Directors, collectively works out the possibility of a more feasible arrangement in providing MRWD the necessary financial relief through loan refinancing to ease up its debt-servicing burden,
which option of acquiring a loan from the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), to reduce the affliction of paying the monthly amortization with LWUA has been considered. Moreover, MRWD is also proposing an installment
INCREASE /4
Issue No.6
|
July — December 2014
NEWS
MRWDEU receives its First CNA Incentive by Ruth L. Jamora
ROXAS CITY — Bonafide members of the Metro Roxas Water District Employees Union received their Collective Negotation Agreement (CNA) incentive last December 2014. This after the said Union has complied with all the requirements set forth by Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Circular No. 2014-2 for the availment of the 1st CNA incentive. The said incentive was evenly distributed to all Union’s bonafide members out of the savings generated by the District from the instituted cost-cutting schemes and practices adopted by Union-Employees without compromising quality public service. CNA is a process of
negotiation between the Management and a group of employees aimed at reaching agreements to regulate working conditions and benefits not covered by existing laws, government circulars or administrative orders. The interests of the
employees are commonly presented by representatives of an employees union to which the employees belong. Once, the CNA is completed, the Civil Service Commission will review and pass upon approval, if all the legal requisites has been duly met by both parties.
The Union believes that its members deserve to receive the aforesaid incentive because of the collective efforts made in the realization of the MRWD’s objective of generating savings thru cost cutting and implementing other austerity measures. INCENTIVE /4
Contact Center Ng Bayan (CCB) “Ang Sumbungan Mo” by Donnalee D. Deondo
ANG CONTACT Center ng Bayan (CCB) ay itinatag ng Civil Service Commission (CSC) noong July 10, 2014 sa pamamagitan ng CSC Resolution No. 1400995 upang madaling malaman at matugunan ang mga komento at suhestiyon ng mamamayan hinggil sa serbisyong ibinibigay ng bawat ahensya ng gobyerno. It ay naaayun sa Republic Act No. 9485 o ang Batas na mas kilala sa tawag na “Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) of 2007”. Isa sa mga adhikain sa pagtatag ng CCB ay upang hikayatin ang mga mamamayan na makibahagi sa pag-aayos ng serbisyo ng bawat ahensya at para
maging epektibo ang kanilang paglilingkod sa sambayanan. Ang mga reklamong maaring idulog sa kanilang tanggapan ay ang mga sumusunod: • Reklamo sa Kutong, Suhol o Red Tape;
• Pakikipagsabwatan sa Fixer • Tigil Serbisyo Tuwing Lunch Break • Walang Tao sa Public Assistance and Complaints Desk • Walang Citizen’s Charter sa
ahensya • Dagdag bayarin o requirements na wala sa Citizen’s Charter • Hindi magalang sa kliyente • Walang special lane para sa mga senior citizens, buntis o may kapansanan • At iba pang sagabal sa mahusay na serbisyo. Inaanyayahan ang publiko na mag-text sa numerong 09088816565 o tumawag sa 1-6565 o di naman kaya mag log-on sa www.contactcenterngbayan.gov. ph Para sa maayos na serbisyo kailangan naming ang feedback nyo.
MRWD Develop Its Own Geographic Information System by Francis C. Jocson
ROXAS CITY — The Metro Roxas Water District has developed a system to store information for its operation. Rather than buy an expensive program worth millions of pesos, your MRWD
has developed its own version of Geographic Information System (GIS) that aims to acquire and store every possible information needed for its operation. The information includes the geographic location, description,
and classification of every household with and without water service connections which are being identified during surveys. A total of 25, 961 households were surveyed at the end of 2014. Some of important features of MRWD’s GIS are faster identification of size and type of pipelines in a particular area, easy search of the concessionaires based on his or her account number or name. The system can help pinpoint the exact location of reported leakage including the household to be served or disconnected, and the same can also provide historical data and search for connections with specific consumptions especially those which has the lowest
volume of water consumed. Meanwhile, in order to improve the District’s services and revenue collection, MRWD has detected and repaired 83 substantial leaks that are not ground-apparent as of December 2014. It has also implemented the replacement of unserviceable water meters in the field. Moreover, the 100mm diameter flow meter at Brgy. Mianay, Ivisan that serves as the water meter for the Municipality of Sigma has been closely watched as strainer and traps were installed to prevent the obstruction of objects that can cause the water meter to be inefficient.
3 EXCELLENCE /1
It aims for excellence and never settled for mediocrity. MRWD has been living up to its motto “We Serve Our Best.” Indeed they serve their best, as manifested by the awards given to them by prestigious award giving bodies. MRWD was hailed as “Most Improve Water District” awarded in 1991 and “Outstanding Water District in the Whole Philippines” given in 1994. One of the qualifications for such award of merit is safe and potable water quality, which MRWD has been providing to its consumers. The water produced by MRWD has consistently passed the Philippine National Standard for Drinking Water with its source of raw water coming from Panay River which has undergone processing in the state of the art Water Treatment Plant producing 30,000 cubic meters per day. A great success of an institution is indebted to the workforce composed of reliable and skilled professionals working hand in hand with the purpose of producing safe and potable drinking water to its people. MRWD’s Water Treatment Plant and Quality Control laboratory is equipped with modern facilities partnered with Engineers and Chemists on duties with trainings and experience in water treatment and water quality monitoring that makes the product water of MRWD globally competitive. The capacity of the MRWD Water Treatment Plant was once put to test by super typhoons that caused havoc to the entire province, but the typhoons were never hindrance for MRWD to continue providing its efficient service to the people of Roxas City and the entire vicinity of Capiz. To make this statement reliable is the testimony of the Canadian Water Specialist Joan Griffiths, who analyzed the product water of MRWD and said that it surpassed the Canadian Standard for safe and potable drinking water. This only proves that MRWD is capable of competing with other Water Districts nationwide and even in the international scene. As a verification to this is the MRWD complimentary bottled water given out to several civic activities like MRWD Employees Union Outreach Program and many more countless of public activities. This is just the beginning of MRWD manifesting its best at the peak of excellence the people of Roxas City is set to witness more of MRWD and the development it will undergo in the near future.
FEATURE
4
Memories:
by Shalmar B. Vito
Issue No.6
|
July — December 2014
A Tribute To Atty. Lolita Arcenas Quisumbing MRWD for almost eight (8) years until she passed away last October 15, 2014. During her term as the Secretary of the Interim Board, she unselfishly devoted her legal knowledge and expertise which helped the District assist its corporate course. Her commitment, sincerity, and wisdom in the service serves as a way to promote the best interest of the District. Her utmost dedication, integrity, fairness, and exemplary professionalism as a public servant is well-remembered and appreciated. Atty. Lolita A. Quisumbing,
“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go. . . I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” (Genesis 28:15). “For this God is our God forever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.” (Psalms 48:14). tty. Lolita A. Quisumbing was duly appointed as member of the Metro Roxas Water District (MRWD) Interim Board of Directors last 22 March 2006. Fondly called as Ma’am Q, Atty. Quisumbing has accomplished much of her time and invaluable services to the
A
played a great role to MRWD employees as a mother. She showed her motherly care for the office and for all personnel. She sets good example of what a mother and a friend should be. Atty. Lolita A. Quisumbing was also a very good friend, she have touched lives showing how much she cared towards you as a person. An optimistic person who is always willing to share and do whatever is necessary. She always saw the good in people. Thank you Ma’am Q for your gentle love, friendship and kindness. We will forever remember your memories.
GM Delgado Nagpanugyan sa pagkinot sa pag gamit sang tubi by Reynold D. Andrada
INCREASE /2
application of the 29% water rate increase like to have it spread over a period of 2 years. Similarly, fund is also needed to support a supplemental water source project for the next 20 years as well as the significant projects in line with Non-Revenue Water (NRW) reduction program and system’s rehabilitation and expansion. Apparently, NRW reduction
DISCOUNT /1
The law also required that the monthly consumption does not exceed 30 cubic meters of water and said privilege is granted per household regardless of the number of senior citizens residing therein. Nevertheless, the
Guinpanugyan ni Metro Roxas Water District General Manager Gonzalo Glen B. Delgado ang pagkinot sa pag gamit sang tubi sa tanan nga tion. Suno sa iya nga pinaagi sa bisan magamay nga hilimuon subong sa pagkinot sa pag gamit sang tubi, dako sini ang mabulig sa ahensya. Suno pa kay GM Delgado nga bangud sa pagdamo sang populasyon, nagakaangay nga ang tanan maghimo sang iya responsibilidad agud mapasiguro nga supisyente ang ginakinahanglan nga surface water ukon tubig-tab-ang. Suno man sa iya nga sa pagtamasa kag indi-tama nga pag gamit sang nasambit nga tubi, naganubo man ang ground-water table subong sa
pagtaas man sang sea water level. Bangud sini, suno pa sa iya, mahimo nga masul-ob sang maalat nga tubi ang suba nga ginahalinan sang tubi nga nagasulod sa treatment plant sang MRWD kag mahimo na maapektuhan ang iga suplay nga ilimnon nga tubi sang mga pumoluyo. Angot sini, ginahinyo ni GM Delgado ang publiko nga maghimo man sang mga tikang sa pagkinot sa pag gamit sang tubi, subong sang pagsekyar sang mga linya agud mapaiway ang pagkausik sang sang tubi sa mga panimalay. Suno man sa iya nga nagakaangay man nga ang mga panimalay ang may nakareserba nga tubi pinaagi sa pagtipon ukon pagsalod sang tubi-ulan
ilabi na sa tingulan. Pinaagi sini, mas maga gamay ang balayaran sa konsumo sa tubi bangud libre ang tubi-ulan kag maayo man sa para sa palibot ukon environment. Suno pa kay GM Delgado nga ang pagkinot sa tubig nagakahulugan sa pagkinot sang dugang nga “pressure” para sa aton mga linya sang tubo nga nagakahulugan sa pagkinot man sa pag gamit sang enerhiya para sa “pumping station.” Ang ini nga mga tikang, suno pa kay GM Delgado, ang pamaagi agud mangin bastante ang aton tubi para sa karon kag sa palaabuton nga mga henerasyon.
program is the answer to the current problems of low pressure during peak hours and further sustain the quality and efficient service of MRWD. At any time, given that refinancing activity is in place, what is expected is the normal 10% rate increase which is fundamental, to maintain the normal delivery of service for MRWD which is more often than not at par with the inflation rate.
INCENTIVE /3
The grant of CNA incentive serves as a reward to the MRWD employees for the year’s fruitful labor and to encourage everyone to be more efficient and productive.
On the other hand, the Management is considering the incentive as a motivation factor to propel its employees to work effectively and efficiently with the end in view of serving the publicconsumers well.
“A win-win solution has always been the good solution. It is but just fair that deserving employees will get a fair share out of the fruits of their labor”, MRWD General Manager Gonzalo Glen Delgado said.
Management recommended the following amendments to said Resolution as follows: 1. the giving of discounts to senior citizens may be extended to those whose consumption exceeds the 30 cu.m. limit; 2. that the 5% discount be availed of up to the first 30 cum.
consumption applicable only to residential concessionaires under the name of a senior citizen as of December 31, 2014 and years thereafter and to those who shall attain the age of 60 after December 31, 2014; 3. that the availment of the said
privilege shall also apply to those concessionaires who shall attain the age of 60 in 2015 and subsequent years. 4. that the availment of the said privilege shall be renewable every year subject to the prior approval of the MRWD upon submission of the documentary
requirements. Accordingly, the MRWD Interim Board in line with the spirit and intent of RA 9994 has accommodated the abovementioned amendments per issuance of IBOD Resolution No. 66, series of 2014, to take effect on January 2015.