West zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. reached a milestone for connecting 3.2 million Filipinos with “water for the poor” programs, providing sustainable water access to marginalized communities.
The programs “Samahang Tubig ng Maynilad” and “Pag-asa sa Tubig Partnership” connected urban poor households to Maynilad’s water network and organized marginalized communities into cooperatives to manage water system in their respective areas.
“These communities no longer have to get their supply from unsanitary sources and illegal water retailers. Not only does this improve their living conditions, it also helps to avert practices like illegally connecting to the pipe system, which can affect water pressure and supply availability,” said Maynilad customer experience and retail operations head Christopher Lichauco.
The company said from spending P40 per 200-liter drum daily, poor communities now only spend P2.38 per drum or 1 centavo per liter under subsidized rates.
Maynilad offers flexible, long-term payment schemes for the water service application of low-income households.
The company said to promote poverty alleviation and provide water access, it provided program beneficiaries with skills training.
The company implements pro-poor water programs with the support from non-government organizations “E&V Water and Life Philippines” and “Tubig Pag-asa”.