Manila Water’s best ‘little’ employees

More than providing its constituents potable water, Manila Water recognizes the contributions of its rank and file employees for their excellent performance and admirable work ethics and values. This column pays tribute to these outstanding workers.

At the 15th Huwarang Manggagawa recognition program held last year, Venus Bernal, an awardee several times, was most surprised when she was declared Grand Awardee. She was cited for her exhibiting effective LGU relationship management and excellent cutomer handling, contributing a good deal to the attainment of the Mandaluyong Business Area’s targets.

The tall and lanky 5-foot-11 Venus became the 15th person to capture the grand model employee award since 1998, joining an elite roster of winners that includes Wolfredo Macasaet who won the inaugural edition of the program, Bonifacio Calamiong (1999), the late Ricardo Pile (2000), current Strategic Asset Planning head Maidy Lynne Quinto (2001), Roberto Nabo (2002), the now departed Fedilita Abdon (2003), Jaime Opider (2004), Alexander Galang (2005), the late Nestor Suganob (2006), Ernesto Labanaza (2007), Francisco Torrefiel (2008), Carlos Cabrera (2009), Alberto L. Ramirez (2010) and Alfredo Ele (2011).

President Gerardo C. Ablaza Jr. and the Manila Water Management Committee led the Huwarang Manggagawa awarding ceremonies held at Eastwood Richmonde Hotel where 38 models of excellence were feted for their contributions in their respective departments and areas.

As grand awardee, Venus earned a cash prize plus a personalized dress watch on top of the grand awardee’s trophy and the honor of having her name and likeness etched in the “Wall of Fame” marker for all grand winners of the Huwaran program. The other finalists and awardees also received cash prizes and trophies.

Also making it to the finals along with Venus were 13 other finalists including Alexander Rayos of East Zone Business Operations Technical Support (Water Network), Romeo Bayaborda of Water Supply, Noel Principe and Jose Andal of Wastewater, Reggie Chavez of Laboratory Services and Danilo Sese of Corporate Finance and Governance. Also awarded were representatives from the company’s various Business Areas, Alexander Dolaresa of Balara, Bienvenido Labasan of Cubao, Olanda Mendoza of Makati, Rosita Buena-ventura of Marikina, Juan Medina Jr. of Pasig, Edgar Briones of Rizal, and Jose Gubaton of Taguig,

Alexander Rayos, a meter services officer of the EZBO technical support team, was nominated for discovering 203 tampered meters and 68 under-registering meters in Pasig and Taguig BAs. Through his efforts of ensuring meter accuracy, the company was able recover P2 million worth of under-collection from one specific high-profile case of meter tampering.

Romeo Bayaborda is a senior treatment plant controller who has stood up to the challenge of performing critical duties when it is most needed by the team. His useful ideas and proactive performance have resulted in efficient operations and achievement of Water Supply’s targets.

The wastewater department continues its domination in the Huwaran when two of its wastewater treatment plant operators swept their way into the finals. Noel Principe, this year’s grand award first runner-up, was one of the top nominees due to several innovations he introduced that proved to be beneficial in realizing both the environmental and economic objectives of the company. His being able to deliver tasks beyond what is expected has enabled him to help his team in exceeding operational performance targets. Principe is also a team player and is always ready to help his colleagues develop ideas into adaptable and practical processes that will improve operations.

Jose Andal is another wastewater treatment plant operator to make it as finalist. Andal’s key role in the attainment of his grid’s TMS was due to the simple yet innovative solutions he created to resolve recurring issues in the plant. He recommended using charcoal as wastewater odor control agent and he also made a “handy screen filter” that serves as ad hoc solution to solid waste accumulation.

Laboratory Services’ Reginal Chavez is a quality officer who tirelessly meets the department’s water and wastewater sampling compliance requirements. A true model of commitment, Chavez fully works beyond office hours and even almost 24/7. His efforts have been instrumental in the efficiencies and significant OPEX savings the department has attained.

Danilo Sese, an operations associate assigned at Corporate Finance and Governance, was selected on the merits of his reliable and responsible execution of his sensitive role as part of the finance group. His integrity and diligence to his work has earned him the trust of his colleagues and managers.

Alexander Dolaresa’s excellent performance as a collection officer cemented Balara BA as the number one among all business areas in terms of collection. Through programs he initiated such as the 60-day-NOD, PayDay Sweep, PA System and the “11:00 Habit,” Dolaresa was able to meet the 100 percent YTD collection efficiency, 88 percent collection efficiency as of nomination and 16 AR days of Balara BA.

Cubao BA’s Bienvenido Labasan leads this year’s pack of awardees as the only six-time recipient of the Huwarang Manggagawa awards. His technical expertise in valve maintenance has made him the reliable go-to-guy when it comes to defective valves. As a field spotter, he was able to contribute to sustaining the BA’s below 10 percent NRW.

Olanda Mendoza of Makati BA is a multi-skilled worker and showed dedication to her role as backroom support officer.

Marikina BA’s bet, Rosita Buenaventura, has been instrumental in the BA’s achievement of 100.29 percent YTD collection efficiency in 2011 and 99.41 percent as of July 2012, as well as the collection rate of 87.10 percent as of nomination, showing a 3.39 percent improvement versus the previous year which, in turn, registers an equivalent of P6.6 million in collection.   

Four-time HM awardee Juan Medina Jr. of Pasig BA is a backroom support officer who performs multiple roles in his area. He acts as the LGU coordinator in initial negotiations done in Cardona, Rizal where his effective relationship management helps sustain the company’s future coverage target in this area. He is also the stand-alone customer service officer in the satellite office in expansion areas.

Edgar Briones of Rizal BA earns his second Huwaran trophy this year due to his brave acceptance of handling territory management roles apart from his current role as field assistant. He was able to deliver outstanding results in the five DMZs he was assigned in by exhibiting customer-centricity to LGU and external partners. His technical competency has also enabled him to address a perennial breakage problem leading to a significant NRW reduction in his area.

Jose Gubaton is a four-time Huwarang Manggagawa who has demonstrated leadership and technical expertise in his work as network controller contributing to Taguig BA’s attainment of 10.15 percent NRW as of October 2012, a significant reduction of 4.63MLD in just ten months. He has shown proactive participation in leak reduction with an average hitting rate of 83 percent.

Manila Water is to be commended for recognizing its employees who contribute to the efficiency of its water service and good image.

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