Manila Water Company: Manila Water partners with community cooperatives

Manila Water partners with community cooperatives

Posted: Friday August 17, 2007

‘Kabuhayan Para Sa Barangay’ (KPSB), a capacity-building program of Manila Water, has made yet another happy partner when it recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Lupang Arienda Muslim – Christian Development Cooperative (LUPA – MCDC).

Photo caption:
Manila Water President Antonino Aquino and Manila Water Pasig Area Business Manager Litz Orodio inspect with LUPA – MCDC Chairman Miguelito Salgado (extreme right) a sample of the A-frame sign holder which the cooperative will fabricate as part of the KPSB program.

KPSB provides micro-financing to community-based cooperatives, enabling them to engage in activities which will help sustain their business. Manila Water has long made the commitment to engage community-based cooperatives in the provision of products or services which are part of its supply chain.

Since the launch of the KPSB program in 2005, Manila Water has already made three other cooperative partners, namely the Amihan Cooperative for fabrication of fire hydrant bollards, the Alitaptap Cooperative for pipe rethreading and fabrication of meter protectors and the Samarpa Cooperative for printing services. These cooperatives all started with a “backyard-type” enterprise and are now earning as high as P350 to P450 per day through the KPSB.To date, Manila Water has issued more than P18 million worth of purchase orders to help uplift the lives of its cooperative partners.

The LUPA – MCDC, as the latest beneficiary, will fabricate metal A-frame sign holders for Manila Water’s use during excavation works. An initial purchase order of 500 units was issued to the cooperative during the MOA signing.

“We appreciate Manila Water’s help in improving our lives, not just by providing affordable and safe drinking water, but by also allowing us to take part in this livelihood program”, said Miguelito Salgado, chairman of the LUPA – MCDC. Manila Water president, Antonino Aquino, for his part, congratulated the cooperative and expressed hopes for the success of the program.