Manila Water Foundation gets two Anvils at the 60th PRSP Awards Gabi ng Parangal

Manila Water Foundation (MWF), the social development arm of Manila Water Company, has received two (2) Silver Anvils in the recently held 60th Anvil Awards Gabi ng Parangal, organized by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines.

Manila Water Foundation (MWF), Manila Water Company's social development arm, received two (2) Silver Anvils at the recent 60th Anvil Awards Gabi ng Parangal.

Manila Water Foundation and its partner Prime Infra Foundation received the first silver Anvil in the Public Relations Program - Sustainability Communications category for their entry “Digging Deep Together: A Water System for the Katutubo Village in Porac, Pampanga.” Through the program, MWF and Prime Infra Foundation developed a water system facility to address the Ayta Mag-indi cultural community of Katutubo Village's long-standing water access challenge.

The deepwell facility is supplemented by the formation of an organized, Aeta-led Water Access, Sanitation, and Hygiene, or WASH Group, which will manage and maintain the community investment, ensuring the WASH infrastructure's sustainability. 

MWF also bagged an Anvil for its Project Drink Pilipinas! Campaign which involves the provision of refrigerated drinking fountains to public schools and institutions.

The project ran for one year, from October 2023 to October 2024, and centered on parallel developments, the construction of a new Deep Well Facility, and the formation of a local WASH Group. This group is made up of community representatives, the majority of whom are women, who attended learning sessions to gain technical knowledge about the water system's operations and management, as well as activities aimed at reinforcing positive behavior and strengthening leadership skills. The intervention directly contributes to the achievement of UN SDG 6, which calls for universal access to clean water and sanitation, through UN SDG 17's Partnerships for the Goals strategy.

PRSP also bestowed its second silver Anvil upon MWF's “Project Drink Pilipinas! Hydrating Filipinos for Health” falls under the Public Relations Program - Corporate Social Responsibility category.

Project Drink Pilipinas! aims to promote hydration for health by providing the public with access to clean, potable water through the installation of refrigerated drinking fountains in public places for students, community members, and visitors. 

Project Drink Pilipinas! also promotes proper solid waste management and encourages the community to reduce the use of PET bottles and the consumption of sugary drinks, particularly among children. The Manila Water Foundation has expanded the project's scope beyond public schools to include public parks, hospitals and health centers, airports, and tourism centers.

As of 2024, 207 Refrigerated Drinking Fountains have been installed in public schools and public service institutions throughout Metro Manila, Boracay Island in Aklan, and the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga. A total of 364,060 people now have access to clean, safe drinking water.

The Public Relations Society of the Philippines organizes the annual Anvil Awards, which recognize outstanding programs and tools in public relations and communications through a rigorous selection process by esteemed PR professionals and a distinguished multi-sectoral jury.