In photo: The women of Samahang Tubig Maynilad (STM) – Riverview community received skills development training to produce the face masks that Maynilad now purchases for its COVID-19 relief initiatives and other donation drives. The trainings are part of Maynilad’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs that enabled some 300 indigent beneficiaries to continue earning income during the pandemic.
West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) has been sustaining its livelihood programs for urban poor communities during the pandemic, enabling some 300 indigent beneficiaries to continue earning income despite current constraints.
The water company taps its Samahang Tubig Maynilad (STM) communities in Tondo, Manila, and Riverview, Quezon City, to produce “pandemic essentials” such as soaps, disinfectants and face masks. Maynilad arranged the livelihood seminars and skills development trainings for these STM communities, which now produce the items that Maynilad purchases for its COVID-19 relief initiatives and other donation drives.
Through the sale of their products to Maynilad and other buyers, the STM communities were able to augment their income and stave off the impact of the economic crunch brought on by the pandemic. “Ngayong apektado ng lockdown ang trabaho ng marami sa amin at binaha pa kami noong Typhoon Ulysses, malaking bagay na kumikita kami. Nakatulong ‘yung pag-alalay sa amin ng Maynilad na gumawa ng mga produkto na mas kailangan ngayong pandemic,” said STM-Riverview officer Josie Nilo.
STM is a pro-poor water service delivery program wherein informal settlers are organized into cooperative-based water associations that are trained to effectively manage the small-scale water systems in their respective areas. Aside from generating savings for its beneficiaries and improving their sanitation conditions, STM has also been instrumental in empowering informal settlers through the values formation, skills training, and livelihood components of the program.