Company launches foundation targeting Metro areas without clean water source

AYALA-LED Manila Water Company Inc. has launched the Manila Water Foundation to help address poor health and sanitation conditions plaguing several communities in eastern Metro Manila and nearby areas.

The foundation serves as Manila Water’s arm for corporate social responsibility or CSR which is focused on both protection of the environment and improved quality of life for water users, according to the water services provider.

“We believe that for our company to be a sustainable enterprise, we need to put a premium on social responsibility and environmental sustainability,” said Manila Water president and CEO Gerardo C. Ablaza, Jr., who also leads the foundation as president.

Ablaza said that the foundation which started informally in 2005 was now in place and would be able to do more to help transform and uplift the lives of people in poor communities even beyond Manila Water’s concession area in Metro Manila.

Areas that do not yet have access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities are target sites for the foundation’s various programs.

“Even before the foundation was formally launched, the foundation has already worked with communities and other partners on programs focused on improving water supply and sanitation, water and environmental education, community assistance and livelihood,” Ablaza said.

He added that a significant number of water users belonged to the low income or the so-called “Base of the Pyramid” communities.

Presently, Manila Water said, the foundation has been instrumental in providing water supply and sanitation programs in Calauan, Laguna that benefited nearly 1,600 households through the help of its partners Bayanijuan and ABS-CBN Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Clean Water Foundation, Happy to Help, National Housing Authority and the Ayala group.