Manila Water bags two Merit Awards at the 21st Philippine Quill Awards

Manila Water Foundation’s Project Drink Pilipinas! and Manila Water Sustainability Team’s Katubig Currents: Stories & Actions for a Sustainable Future both earned recognition at the 21st Philippine Quill Awards held at the Manila Hotel recently.   

Manila Water receives dual distinction at the 21st Philippine Quill Awards, presented at the Manila Hotel. The Manila Water Foundation and the Sustainability Team each get a Merit Award for exceptional communication projects that promote public health and environmental stewardship. 

Project Drink Pilipinas! , sponsored by the Manila Water Foundation, received recognition in the Corporate Social Responsibility category.  The campaign encourages hydration for both health and environmental sustainability.  Through the Project Drink Pilipinas! The Manila Water Foundation has constructed over 400 refrigerated drinking fountains (RDFs) in critical public areas such as parks, hospitals, and tourism sites to promote the community's health and well-being.  RDFs have been installed on campuses around Metro Manila, guaranteeing that students, instructors, and staff have quick access to clean, refreshing drinking water.

With over 752,987 people now having access to clean, potable water, the project promotes the use of washable drinking cups or tumblers while challenging the "throw-away" mentality of single-use PET plastic bottles, which can contaminate streams and cause flooding.

“Project Drink Pilipinas! of Manila Water Foundation calls on more partners and donors to bring refrigerated drinking fountains to more schools and public spaces. Through partnerships, let us quench the public’s thirst for clean, potable water, promote hydration for health, and care for the environment by supporting solid waste management programs of cities and communities.” ~Rej Andal, Manila Water Foundation Executive Director

Meanwhile, the Manila Water Sustainability Team's Katubig Currents: Stories & Actions for a Sustainable Future program received a Merit Award for Sustainability Communications as well as Breakthroughs and Innovation.  The initiative combines employee-led watershed restoration activities through Pasibol: Puno ng Pag-asa with an internal storytelling platform, Kwentong Katubig, to build a sustainable culture.  Katubig Currents encourages Manila Water employees to become climate resilience ambassadors through more than 1,600 volunteer hours, 22 published publications, and other employee-driven solutions.

“Katubig Currents reflects the heart of our sustainability journey—empowering every Manila Water employee to be a storyteller, a changemaker, and a steward of our shared future. This recognition affirms our belief that real climate action begins within.” ~Sarah Bergado, Manila Water Sustainability Director

The Philippine Quill Awards, organized by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines, is the country’s most prestigious recognition program for business communication excellence.