Category: Manila Water Foundation

Manila Water Foundation holds 1st Cooperative Summit

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In its continuing effort to provide sustainable assistance to community-based cooperatives nationwide, Manila Water Foundation, through its Kabuhayan Para Sa Barangay (KPSB) program, held the 1st Manila Water Foundation Cooperative Summit at Luxent Hotel, Quezon City.

Said summit, which is a part of Manila Water Foundation’s 10-year scale up, gathered representatives from more than 100 KPSB partner cooperatives for a day of learning, networking, and marketing. It also reinforced the Foundation’s high regard for the role of community-based cooperatives in nation-building through access to sustainable livelihood opportunities to contribute to local and national economic growth, as resonated by the theme “Kabuhayan: Tulay sa Matatag na Bayan”.

KPSB, Manila Water Foundation’s flagship community and livelihood assistance program, provides assistance to community-based cooperatives by offering financial support through a non-interest bearing loan of P100, 000 together with micro-enterprise training and other business management skills. Nearly 200 cooperatives, translating to over 55,000 families all over the country, are now part of the growing KPSB family. This number will just continue to increase as the Foundation is determined to reach out to more cooperatives in more areas in the country.

“More than the numbers, however, I am deeply moved by success stories and testimonies on how our simple assistance has greatly supported businesses, which in turn, resulted in a more stable financial position for several groups. It is also heartwarming to hear about how the KPSB has given a sustainable income for households, thereby allowing our partner cooperatives to provide for the needs of their families,” said Manila Water Foundation Executive Director Carla May Beriña-Kim.

Beriña-Kim’s statement was echoed by the KPSB partner cooperatives who shared their ‘Kabuhayan Para Sa Barangay’ stories that chronicled their respective cooperatives’ experiences before and after the assistance provided by the Foundation. Office of the Transport Cooperative Chairman Melchor V. Cayabyab thanked the Foundation for giving all KPSB partner cooperatives the financial leverage they need to expand their businesses. He then urged all attendees to prove that they deserve all the help given to them.

“We have to show that the cooperative sector can be trusted to do our part in using the loans given to us by Manila Water Foundation. We have to prove that we are not only trustworthy, but we’re actually also competent in running and expanding our businesses,” stressed Caybayab.

Ateneo De Manila University Economics Professor and Manila Water Foundation Independent Trustee Cielito F. Habito served as the event’s keynote speaker. He inspired and motivated all the attendees with his words of wisdom that centered on the importance of collaboration among cooperatives to contribute to nation-building.

“Together, we can solve poverty. If the more fortunate families take time to help out those who have less, then we are all sure to achieve prosperity. As Pope John Paul II said, nobody is so poor that he has nothing to give, nobody is so rich that he has nothing to receive,” remarked Habito.

Cooperative Development Authority Deputy Director Giovanni T. Platero and Federation of Peoples’ Sustainable Development Cooperative CEO Christie Rowena C. Plantilla coached the attendees on cooperative management and governance while UP Institute of Small Scale Industries (UP-ISSI) Head of Business Enterprise Development Engr. Leoncio T. Cubillas, NutriWealth Founder Jay C. Galang, and Globe’s Abelyn F. Evangelista shared their knowledge on entrepreneurial and business management. Gawad Kalinga’s (GK) Ernie Maipid showed the importance of values formation and community relationship by having Mr. Bert Hangdaan, the Kalinga Leader of Silver Heights Village, narrate how GK has helped him and his community with the partnership and the assistance given to them.

Manila Water Foundation holds 1st Cooperative Summit

PRNEWS Admin Leave a comment

In its continuing effort to provide sustainable assistance to community-based cooperatives nationwide, Manila Water Foundation, through its Kabuhayan Para Sa Barangay (KPSB) program, held the 1st Manila Water Foundation Cooperative Summit at Luxent Hotel, Quezon City.

Said summit, which is a part of Manila Water Foundation’s 10-year scale up, gathered representatives from more than 100 KPSB partner cooperatives for a day of learning, networking, and marketing. It also reinforced the Foundation’s high regard for the role of community-based cooperatives in nation-building through access to sustainable livelihood opportunities to contribute to local and national economic growth, as resonated by the theme “Kabuhayan: Tulay sa Matatag na Bayan”.

KPSB, Manila Water Foundation’s flagship community and livelihood assistance program, provides assistance to community-based cooperatives by offering financial support through a non-interest bearing loan of P100, 000 together with micro-enterprise training and other business management skills. Nearly 200 cooperatives, translating to over 55,000 families all over the country, are now part of the growing KPSB family. This number will just continue to increase as the Foundation is determined to reach out to more cooperatives in more areas in the country.

“More than the numbers, however, I am deeply moved by success stories and testimonies on how our simple assistance has greatly supported businesses, which in turn, resulted in a more stable financial position for several groups. It is also heartwarming to hear about how the KPSB has given a sustainable income for households, thereby allowing our partner cooperatives to provide for the needs of their families,” said Manila Water Foundation Executive Director Carla May Beriña-Kim.

Beriña-Kim’s statement was echoed by the KPSB partner cooperatives who shared their ‘Kabuhayan Para Sa Barangay’ stories that chronicled their respective cooperatives’ experiences before and after the assistance provided by the Foundation. Office of the Transport Cooperative Chairman Melchor V. Cayabyab thanked the Foundation for giving all KPSB partner cooperatives the financial leverage they need to expand their businesses. He then urged all attendees to prove that they deserve all the help given to them.

“We have to show that the cooperative sector can be trusted to do our part in using the loans given to us by Manila Water Foundation. We have to prove that we are not only trustworthy, but we’re actually also competent in running and expanding our businesses,” stressed Caybayab.

Ateneo De Manila University Economics Professor and Manila Water Foundation Independent Trustee Cielito F. Habito served as the event’s keynote speaker. He inspired and motivated all the attendees with his words of wisdom that centered on the importance of collaboration among cooperatives to contribute to nation-building.

“Together, we can solve poverty. If the more fortunate families take time to help out those who have less, then we are all sure to achieve prosperity. As Pope John Paul II said, nobody is so poor that he has nothing to give, nobody is so rich that he has nothing to receive,” remarked Habito.

Cooperative Development Authority Deputy Director Giovanni T. Platero and Federation of Peoples’ Sustainable Development Cooperative CEO Christie Rowena C. Plantilla coached the attendees on cooperative management and governance while UP Institute of Small Scale Industries (UP-ISSI) Head of Business Enterprise Development Engr. Leoncio T. Cubillas, NutriWealth Founder Jay C. Galang, and Globe’s Abelyn F. Evangelista shared their knowledge on entrepreneurial and business management. Gawad Kalinga’s (GK) Ernie Maipid showed the importance of values formation and community relationship by having Mr. Bert Hangdaan, the Kalinga Leader of Silver Heights Village, narrate how GK has helped him and his community with the partnership and the assistance given to them.

Manila Water Foundation boosts potential of eco-friendly products

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Photo shows:(From left to right) Carla May B. Kim,  Executive Director of Manila Water Foundation; Errol Barba, Chairman of Makati Persons with Disability Multi-purpose Cooperative; Danny Villas, Department Head of Makati Cooperative Development Office; Hon. Tosca Camille Puno-Ramos, Head of Committee of Cooperatives; and Ferdinand M. dela Cruz, President of Manila Water Foundation 

Manila Water Foundation supports the livelihood and sustainable endeavours of the Makati Persons with Disability Green Consumers Cooperative, through its Kabuhayan Para Sa Barangay (KPSB) program. With confidence and high hopes, the Foundation hands-over a P200,000 zero-interest loan payable in 24 months that will serve as the Cooperative’s seed-capital.

As an organization that focuses on underlining the capacity of persons with disabilities (PWD) as a significant part of a business production line while upholding environmental stewardship, the Makati Persons with Disability Green Consumers Cooperative manufactures and retails eco-friendly bags, pillows and pillowcases, swatch rags, and other sewn products. Recyclables such as used plastic tetra packs and old tarpaulins are reused as basic materials for its products.

Danilo Villas, Department Head of the Makati Cooperative Development Office, applauds the Cooperative for its desire to make a difference critically needed by the environment. “The local office truly salutes these PWDs who, in their own ways, live up to our environmental obligations” he shares. “We extend this respect to Manila Water Foundation for recognizing and strengthening such efforts. May the cooperative value this support to embolden the Foundation to continue its pursuit” he furthers.

Photo shows:Member of Makati Persons with Disability Green Consumers Cooperative, Jocelyn Broqueza sewing used juice tetra packs to eco-friendly bags.

Together with its 39 members, the Cooperative accepts the seed-capital with a promise to expend this on the road to better operations. “Each of us (members of the Cooperative) will work hand-in-hand to make this source of opportunity flourish”, says Errol Barba, Chairman of the Cooperative. “We are overwhelmed, and at the same time proud of the trust given to us by Manila Water Foundation. All the help we are receiving attests the trust granted to us by various parties as well as the local government” he adds.

The said beneficiary is the 14th cooperative that has received financial backing from the Foundation’s livelihood assistance program. Since its initiation in 2003, the KPSB program has already touched the lives of 2,265 families from Base of the Pyramid (BOP) communities. According to Ferdinand dela Cruz, President of Manila Water Foundation, the KPSB project aims to aid formed cooperatives like the said PWD group that are struggling to carry out its goals. “We are presenting the maximum grant of P200,000 to the PWD Green Consumers Cooperative not only because of their great potential, but also because of the immense optimism they exhibit towards their work and their cause” he voices.

Manila Water Foundation upholds importance of proper handwashing

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In Photo: More than 7,000 individuals from different parts of the country participate in the celebration of Global Handwashing Day. 

Manila Water Foundation, the additional corporate social responsibility arm of East Zone concessionaire Manila Water Company for areas outside Metro Manila, visited different parts of the archipelago spreading the value of handwashing as part of proper hygiene and healthcare. The Foundation joined over 100 countries, involving more than 200 million people across five continents in celebrating the 2013 Global Handwashing Day.

Carla Beriña-Kim, Executive Director of Manila Water Foundation, imparts that handwashing serves as an easy and cost-effective measure in preventing different infections and diseases. “This simple task can lower the number of people affected by fast-spreading illnesses that take a toll not only on one’s health, but also on the family’s budget. When done properly, regularly and collectively, handwashing can create healthier communities”, says Beriña-Kim.

On its first year to lead a series of events for the Global Handwashing Day in the Philippines, Manila Water Foundation staged a week-long celebration that saw more than 7,000 people participating in its activities. Students, teachers, and school personnel from different schools in Metro Manila, Pampanga, Laguna, and Boracay Island were visited by the Foundation, informing them on the proper way of washing one’s hands and how responsibly transforming this into a habit may reduce vulnerability to different health risks and infections. Partakers were encouraged to stamp their handprints on the pledge wall to signify their commitment to practice proper handwashing and to encourage their family and friends to do the same. In a move to further its advocacy, Manila Water Foundation extended its efforts by setting up booths that deliver information on the benefits of handwashing in Trinoma Mall in Quezon City, Pavillion Mall in Biñan, Laguna, Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna and Marquee Mall in Angeles, Pampanga. Participants showed their support to the cause by contributing in the pledge sticker wall. As its culminating event, the Foundation conducted an information and education drive at the Boracay Beach Front Station One and enjoined tourists and locals alike to practice proper handwashing.

The successful celebration was co-presented by Manila Water, Laguna Water, Clark Water, Boracay Water, and supported by the Department of Education, Globe Telecom, Ayala Malls, Unilever (Vaseline as official soap sponsor), Universal Robina Corporation (Granny Goose Tortillos, Mang Juan, Hunt’s and Refresh), Unilab (RiteMed and Ceelin Plus) and Enchanted Kingdom, as well as media partners, The Philippine Star, Business World, Health Today and Working Mom.

Manila Water Foundation gives hope to relocated families in Laguna

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Photo shows: Manila Water Foundation President Ferdinand dela Cruz handing over P200,000-seed capital to Southville 7 Site 3 Consumers Cooperative Chairman Jo Penacilla.

Manila Water Foundation, the social and environmental arm of East Zone concessionaire Manila Water Company, recently provided a P200,000-seed capital to Southville 7 Site 3 Consumers Cooperative in Sto. Tomas, Calauan, Laguna to assist member-families of the cooperative in their livelihood program. The financial assistance is part the foundation’s Kabuhayan Para sa Barangay Program and will be used to support the school supplies store and printing services business of the cooperative.

Most of the residents in Southville 7 Site 3 were relocated from Pasig City after Typhoon Ondoy left them homeless. The livelihood assistance is the latest among several support programs that the community had received from Manila Water Foundation. In 2011, the foundation facilitated the provision of clean, safe, and affordable drinking water for the community that used to source its water needs from a nearby spring. With water service now available, the foundation also complemented this with an educational program focusing on the need to protect these water services and the health hazards posed by unreliable water sources.

According to Jo Penacilla, Cooperative Chairman, the assistance they received will greatly benefit not only the cooperative but more importantly the many residents of Southville 7. “Now, our children have easy access to school supplies as the store is just a short distance walk from our homes”, says Penacilla. “There are hardly any school supplies stores or printing service centers that are available in our community. Before, we would need to take a ride to purchase these entailing additional expenses, sometimes even bigger than the cost of the school materials,” Penacilla recalls. “We will forever be thankful to the Manila Water Foundation for choosing our community and giving us the opportunity to improve the plight of our residents”.

Ferdinand dela Cruz, President of Manila Water Foundation, expressed that the support to Southville 7 is part of the vision of the foundation to be an instrument in uplifting the quality of life of marginalized communities by implementing livelihood programs and providing financial assistance. “The foundation merely offers the means for creating good beginnings, but it is the beneficiaries who would need to continuously work and make the seeds flourish. The loan will be paid in 24 months and will then be used to help other cooperatives. We envision Southville 7 Cooperative to be an example to others who are challenged by a similar situation. Soon it will be their turn to inspire and answer the needs of others,” dela Cruz adds.