Manila Water Foundation, the social development arm of the Manila Water enterprise, in a statement said that they recently concluded their month-long series of events to mark its 18th anniversary with a Partners Recognition Event.

The Filipiniana-themed celebration was hosted by Manila Water Foundation to express gratitude to its generous partners as it turned 18 in animating the mission of bringing environmental programs and water access, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) for all communities.

The MWSS Multi-purpose Hall was converted into a Filipino barrio fiesta scene as Manila Water Foundation gathered partners from both public and private sectors.

Representatives from social enterprises, corporate foundations, national government agencies and international humanitarian organizations attended the event and received tokens of appreciation.

Manila Water Foundation President and Manila Water Company President and CEO, Jocot de Dios thanked all its partners, for entrusting MWF with a total of PHP 91-M in partnership value to deliver projects through the Manila Water Foundation program houses: Integrated WASH, WASH Interventions and Environment.

Department of Education Assistant Secretary for Operations Dexter Galban delivered a partnership message at the event.

Asec. Galban emphasized the importance of all partners collaborating for Filipino learners in championing WASH in Schools or WinS that is part of Oplan Kalusugan or OK sa DepEd.

From 2019 to 2022, Manila Water Foundation, with the generous support of partners, constructed more than 500 sets of multi-faucet hand hygiene facilities and more than 3,000 hygiene kits in campuses nationwide.

These were completed in time for the full implementation of face-to-face classes in public schools and the continuing promotion of health and hygiene on campus.

The invited guests represented 18 current collaborators and with another set of 18 partners, MWF intends to have strong collaborations with.

To symbolize the synergy and stewardship, each partner was given a potted Aglaonema, a colorful and sturdy plant.

Then, the partner representatives completed a large-scale puzzle and placed their respective organization’s logo on a Synergy Wall, signifying their support to the WASH program houses of Manila Water Foundation.

To concretely demonstrate synergies, Manila Water Foundation said they will Grant a Wish of WASH and donate a WASHUp! portable handwashing station with bar soap and the MWF WASH Storybook May Tubig na sina Tinay! to public schools and institutions in the name of each partner organization. Each partner is then challenged to top up the donation so as to expand the WASH project’s reach.

Catherine R. Cueto