Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) reported Friday that it will establish 13 new cooperative-based water centers for informal communities in its concession area under the Samahang Tubig Maynilad (STM) program.
In a statement, Maynilad said that the new STM centers will be established in Fairview, North Caloocan and Malabon.
The STM centers enable beneficiaries to buy water at P10 per drum.
Previously, they have had to pay P30 to P35 per drum from roving water vendors.
And unlike the water bought from illegal water vendors, the water supplied by Maynilad is fit for consumption.
As a result, residents are able to source more safe water for their daily requirements and still save on their water expenses.
Aside from generating savings for beneficiaries and improving their sanitation conditions, Maynilad said STM centers have also been instrumental in empowering informal settlers through the values formation, skills training, and livelihood components of the program.
Prior to the installation of the water system in the beneficiary community, Maynilad organized the target beneficiaries into cooperatives and conducted the necessary training so that the members could manage the water system and payment collections.
STM aguadors (delivery boys) were tasked to distribute water in the community while other members took charge of maintaining and repairing the water system.
Maynilad also encouraged the communities to pursue livelihood projects to improve their living standards.
To generate funds for their chosen project, the STM cooperatives were allowed to apply a minimal surcharge on the water rate set by the company.
In some STM communities, the earnings were used to produce hand towels, soaps, dishwashing gels, fabric softeners and bags from recycled products. One community even used a portion of its collection to support a day care facility.
Maynilad is a concessionaire of the MWSS for the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area.