Innovation

Manila Water Company has made a positive impact in the Metro Manila area through their innovative filtration systems, providing accessible clean water to residents, especially those who reside in lower income communities. Previously, clean water was only accessible to those who could afford it, meaning that poorer families were unable to gain access to clean, potable water. While continuing to maintain compliance with Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW), Manila Water is constantly improving the way water is purified and delivered to the community. Local programs such as "Lakbayan," a water education program that aims to educate the community about water health and how Manila Water is purifying their water, are being implemented to maintain positive reputation in the community. Manila Water Company aims to reach marginalized communities through their community efforts and providing affordable access to water while still maintaining positive revenue growth. Manila Water fosters socioeconomic growth in the Metro Manila community as well. Maintaining employee performance through opportunities that enhance employee well-being and maintain positive attitude is an example, and Manila Water recognizes that their talent recruitment is one of the key drivers of sustainability for their company. For example, "Toka Toka" is a program that engages their employees to be involved in the community through volunteering.

Inspiration

Manila Water Company is inspired by their commitment to social good through aiming to provide clean water to all communities in Metro Manila, especially those classified at the "bottom of the pyramid." Most recently, they have intensified efforts to expand access to purified water to these communities while maintaining a higher standard of clean water. The company recognizes sustainability as one of its core values and its basis for transformation, improving their social mission and corporate goals concurrently. Many of the board members and core employees are an integral part of the Metro Manila area, and are passionate about providing clean water for the improvement of their own communities. With a business culture embedded in "sustainability, social responsibility, and environmental advocacy," Manila Water Company has generated a net positive impact in areas where it is most needed in the Metro Manila community and has become a model for other for-profit, sustainable companies based in the Philippines. Improving the lives of those people in the communities that it serves is embedded into the business culture of Manila Water and this is expressed through the enthusiasm of its employees to carry out the company's mission.

Overall impact

Manila Water Company is improving the lives of residents who live in the Metro Manila community, particularly those who come from lower income backgrounds. Manila Water currently serves approximately 8 million people in the East Zone of Metro Manila. In addition, Manila Water aims to expand its social presence through the Manila Water Foundation, which invests in improving water education and community assistance and livelihood to increase impact in Base of the Pyramid (BoP) communities. Alleviating poverty in economically feasible ways can be utilized by accommodating to BoP communities and providing essential services, such as clean water in rural areas. By serving such communities, Manila Water Company is responding to the ecological and social needs of the Metro Manila area (Laszlo & Zhexembayeva, 2011, p.64).

Reference:

Laszlo, C., & Zhexembayeva, N. (2011). Embedded sustainability the next big competitive advantage. Stanford, CA: Stanford Business Books.

Business benefit

Manila Water Company currently serves approximately 8 million customers in the East Zone of Metro Manila. Amongst this, 1.8 million are from marginalized communities, which they aim to provide clean, drinkable water through a program that provides affordable water delivery called “Tubig Para Sa Barangay” (TPSB). Manila Water has increased its revenues steadily from 2010 to 2015 with a 53.8% increase in revenue, while practicing sustainability and staying committed to their promise of providing clean water to every community in the Metro Manila area. Additionally, the company has achieved 100% compliance with water quality standards of the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water as well as a reduction in water losses from 63% in 1997 to 11% in 2016.

Social and environmental benefit

With a commitment to providing accessible water resources to the East Metro Manila area, Manila Water’s core value of “care for the customer” is exemplified in their everyday practices. Providing access to clean water to communities that previously didn’t have it is another example of their commitment to social good and benefiting lower income communities. Territory managers and customer care specialists are present in every territory, ensuring consumer satisfaction. Their holistic approach to sustainability has enabled them to increase preservation of water sources and ensure proper disposal of treated wastewater, benefiting the water wildlife in surrounding rivers and other water sources.

Interview

Sherisa P. Nuesa, Board of Directors