Manila Water renewed its partnership with the Department of Education, other government agencies, and private utility companies during the recently held OPLAN Balik Eskwela (OBE) Command Conference at DepEd’s Central Office in Pasig City.

The stakeholder conference was an opportunity for Manila Water, through the Metropolitan Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), to show its renewal of support and present its commitments for the smooth and orderly opening of classes this year.

In a report submitted to MWSS, the water company has already prioritized providing public schools and hospitals in the East Zone and Rizal Province with an uninterrupted 24/7 potable water supply. In case of maintenance activities and emergency leak repairs, the water concessionaire has water tankers and static tanks ready to be deployed to schools.

To ensure potability and safety, the company has designated public schools as sampling points for regular water quality testing to ensure that Manila Water consistently complies with the stringent parameters of Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water. Technical assistance to school administrators are also given to determine potential leak sources. Project sites located at or near schools have been properly barricaded to ensure safety of students.

Manila Water-Pasig Service Area turned over cleaning materials to Pasig Elementary School as part of the water company’s continuing support to the Department of Education’s OPLAN Balik Eskwela. Furthermore, the water company has already prioritized providing public schools and hospitals in the East Zone and Rizal Province with an uninterrupted 24/7 potable water supply. 

Earlier this month, Manila Water, in partnership with DepEd-National Capital Region and the Quezon City local government Unit headed by Mayor Joy Belmonte, launched Project Drink 72. The project aims to provide refrigerated drinking fountains to 72 Quezon City public schools.

Since 2004, Manila Water and the Manila Water Foundation have partnered with various organizations to install handwashing facilities in various schools in the East Zone and beyond. Through its SafeWASH in Schools Program, the company, in partnership with Safeguard Philippines and DepEd, has inaugurated 274 sets of ten-faucet hygiene facilities in schools in Metro Manila. In the program, the schools were also provided with informational materials and hygiene education sessions. In 2023 alone, the Manila Water Foundation’s WASH project has installed five faucet hygiene facilities in two schools, five units of WASHup Portable handwashing stations and refrigerated drinking fountains in twelve schools.

Year in and year out, the company has supported DepEd’s call to educate the youth on the value of water and the importance of wastewater services. With its Lakbayan program, Manila Water treats students to guided tours of its water trail from Angat Dam all the way to the distribution network and finally to wastewater treatment plants with the goal of instilling a better appreciation of the processes of bringing water to the taps. Manila Water is also tapping educators through its experiential workshop called the SALIN-Lakbayan para sa Guro Program to cascade information on the water trail processes and the importance of protecting the watershed to their students. To further promote the responsible and smart use of water online, Manila Water posts tips on the wise and responsible use of water on its social media channels through its #WaterWais campaign. The advocacy is designed to teach water-saving practices and smart ways of extending the use of water to its customers, especially students, as the country faces the challenges of an El Nino.