NEA Orders the Suspension of BENECO Board of Directors and Other Officials for the Transactions Found Averse to Good Management

Last 9 December 2021, NEA rendered its Decision in ADM Case No. 12-09-20, on the matter of the Motu Proprio Investigation of the Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO). The Notice of Decision was personally served at the BENECO office last 23 December 2021. Copies were also served via electronic mail to the Internal Auditor and the Institutional Services Manager who were
among those suspended, as well as on the Administrative Officer of the EC.

The NEA BOA Decision pertains to the audit findings wherein the respondents were meted administrative penalties of suspension, as well as the order for them to return the excess amounts they earlier received in violation of NEA policies amd guidelines.

The findings cover the period 01 June 2014 to 31 December 2017. The EC Board and Management’s response failed to justify some of the audit observations especially on the excessive benefits and allowances they extended to themselves. The respondents filed a joint answer, denying liability on the audit findings.

Earlier on 26 August 2020, the Administrative Committee (ADCOM) received the details of these findings and the respondents were directed to file their responses on the alleged violations. To determine further whether they may be held administratively liable for the charges, a clarificatory hearing was held on 03 February 2021.

In the Decision of the NEA BOA, a BENECO officer’s earlier resignation, as well as the subsequent death of another Respondent that would prevent him from defending himself were taken into account.

For the remaining respondents, the NEA BOA generally found each charge as substantially proven thus the imposition of the penalties. Among those are the continuous defiance of NEA guidelines on the payment of meeting per diems.

During the clarificatory hearing, their hollow excuses was revealed to be betrayed by certain facts. Earlier audit reports containing identical findings of defiance had been duly furnished to the BENECO board and management. Subsequently, the EC tried to increase the frequency of compensable regular board meetings from two to three.

However, said move was partially approved by then Deputy Administrator of EDUS Edgardo Piamonte and then by former Administrator Edita S. Buenoon who stated that “per diems will only be given for two (2) regular board meetings, in accord with NEA Memorandum No. 2015-007.”

BENECO Board President Esteban Somngi further admitted that starting January 2021, they still conducted their third regular monthly board meeting without the payment of per diem. This is evidence that they recognize non-entitlement of per diems beyond the allowed for 2 monthly meetings.

The rest of the findings take on the same pattern of violation. The following grants, benefits, and allowances were extended without explicit approval of NEA Administration:

1. Information Dissemination Allowance
2. Granting of gasoline Allowance
3. Token of appreciation to two outgoing BOD Members
4. Other benefits claimed under the following categories: 13th month pay, grocery allowance, representation allowance, insurance allowance, rainwear allowance, Christmas bonus.
   
   For each of these, the NEA BOA found the respondents liable for willful violation/non-compliance of NEA issuances. They are meted the penalty of Suspension for a period of ninety (90) days.
   
   They are consequently ordered to return the computed excess funds they have granted to themselves.
   
   Following the notice of decision, the respondents are directed to show proof of payment and/or return of the aforementioned amounts within ten (10) days.###

Manila Water sets up mobile treatment plant to provide relief to typhoon-stricken communities in Bohol

Communities badly hit by Typhoon Odette in Bohol will now get additional relief through clean, potable water, as Manila Water sets-up its mobile treatment plant (MTP) along the banks of Inabanga River. This is the second MTP in operation in calamity-hit Visayas, after the first facility was set up in Liloan, Cebu last December 23. Manila Water closely coordinated with various local government units to ensure that the MTP will be able to efficiently provide much-needed clean water to Bohol towns.

Inabanga Mayor Jumamoy drinking water from mobile treatment plant (MTP)

Bohol Governor Arthur Yap had earlier expressed his appreciation for the efforts of Manila Water to extend help to his constituents. “Thank you for spending your Christmas away from your family so you can help the affected families here in Bohol; for inspecting the proposed site of the mobile treatment plant location in Inabanga that will help address our water needs,” Yap shared on a social media post. Inabanga Mayor Josephine Jumamoy, for her part, was relieved that finally clean water will now be available to her constituents. “Eto po talaga ang need namin, potable water, kaya’t maraming salamat sa Manila Water at kay Gov. Yap (This Is really what our town needs, potable water, so we are extremely grateful to Manila Water and Gov. Yap) because our 50 barangays are in dire need of clean water,” Jumamoy added. Manila Water relief operations in the province are being coordinated through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, headed by Dr. Anthony Damalerio. “The PDRRMO extend its thanks to Manila Water for its immediate response after the onslaught of Typhoon Ondoy,” Dr. Damalerio said.

Along with the MTP, Manila Water also sent two (2) 10-cubic meter water tankers to help ensure that the water produced by the MTP will be brought to more communities in Bohol.  Manila Water’s MTP has the capability of treating and converting any type of raw water — river water, flood water, even saltwater — into potable drinking water. The treatment facilities, which are being operated by a crew of volunteer-employees from Manila Water, can each produce about 3,000 liters of drinking water per hour and can operate optimally up to 12 hours a day. Manila Water has been sending its MTP to disaster-stricken areas even outside of Metro Manila to augment potable water supply in evacuation centers. It was deployed to Bantayan Island in Cebu after Typhoon Yolanda hit several provinces in the Visayas in 2013.

Gov. Yap also expressed his gratitude to Manila Water Foundation for sending 500 units of 5-gallon Healthy & Pure drinking water plus several cases of hygiene products.

Apart from Bohol and Cebu, Manila Water and Manila Water Foundation are also sending relief to Siargao, Dinagat Island, Southern Leyte and Palawan in the coming days.

Manila Water sends mobile treatment plants to typhoon-stricken areas in Visayas

To help provide potable water to families affected by Typhoon Odette which devastated Visayas, parts of Mindanao and Palawan recently, Manila Water readily deployed two (2) mobile treatment plants (MTP) complemented by several water tankers to Cebu and Bohol. One MTP was sent to Liloan, Cebu and the other will be brought to Inabanga, Bohol. The MTP’s are expected to augment the much-needed supply of clean water to the typhoon-stricken communities. The water tankers will help bring water from the MTP’s to various barangays and nearby towns.

Photo shows Kapitana Lorena Yungco (center) of Brgy. Cotcot, Liloan, Cebu assisting her constituents while they fetch water from Manila Water’s mobile treatment plant. The MTP produces about 3,000 liters of drinking water per hour and can operate optimally up to 12 hours a day, enough provide around 30 families with one day’s supply of clean water.

Manila Water’s MTP has the capability of treating and converting any type of raw water — river water, flood water, even saltwater — into potable drinking water. The treatment facilities, which are being operated by a crew of volunteer-employees from Manila Water, can each produce about 3,000 liters of drinking water per hour and can operate optimally up to 12 hours a day. Manila Water has been sending its MTP to disaster-stricken areas even outside of Metro Manila to augment potable water supply in evacuation centers. It was deployed to Bantayan Island in Cebu after Typhoon Yolanda hit several provinces in the Visayas in 2013.

Earlier this week, Manila Water Foundation sent 500 units of 5-gallon Healthy & Pure drinking water and 75 cases of hygiene products and will be sending additional 2,500 units of 5-gallon drinking water and 225 cases of hygiene kits to distressed areas in the coming days.

Other towns currently benefitting from the provision of clean water from the MTPs are Compostela and Consolacion in Cebu. Water tankers were also sent to Siargao to bring clean water to affected communities. #(MWC Corporate Communications)

Manila Water Foundation deploys relief for Odette victims

Responding to the urgent needs of communities greatly affected by Typhoon Odette, Manila Water Foundation and its partners immediately turned over much-needed drinking water and hygiene products for deployment to displaced families in Cebu.

Manila Water Foundation and its partners, Philippine Coast Guard, P&G Safeguard Philippines, Healthy & Pure, immediately turned over much-needed drinking water and hygiene products for deployment to displaced families in Cebu.

In coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard, Manila Water Foundation sent 500 units of 5-gallon Healthy & Pure drinking water and 75 cases of hygiene products donated by P&G Safeguard Philippines. This is the first of its series of deployments for those affected by the calamity.

Manila Water Foundation will be sending additional 2,500 units of 5-gallon drinking water with 225 cases of hygiene products to more communities battered by Typhoon Odette. Its parent company Manila Water will also deploy mobile treatment plants (MTPs) and water tankers to address the lacking supply of potable water in distressed areas.

Manila Water Foundation sent 500 units of 5-gallon of Healthy & Pure drinking water and 75 cases of hygiene products donated by P&G Safeguard Philippines. This is the first of its series of deployments for those affected by the calamity.

The initiative is under Manila Water Foundation‘s Agapay program which aims to immediately respond the water supply and sanitation needs of affected communities.

Manila Water Foundation is grateful to its partners, PCG and P&G Safeguard Philippines, and Manila Water and its business units Boracay Water, Laguna Water and Clark Water, for lending a helping hand to our fellow Filipinos at this trying time.

Donate today to Manila Water Foundation via BPI and GCash so that more families and communities can have access to potable water. Go to www.facebook.com/manilawaterfoundation to know how you can help. #(MWC Corporate Communications)

Manila Water recognized by ARTA for Ease of Doing Business initiatives

In the recently concluded Ease of Doing Business Summit organized by the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), Manila Water was presented with the award for “Doing Business, Competitiveness Ranking Mover – Dealing with Construction Permits (DWCP)” category. This is in recognition of the company’s efficient stakeholder engagement with local government units, particularly the Quezon City government, in aiding customers in securing construction permits related to new water service applications.

Manila Water was recognized by the Anti-Red Tape Authority during its recently concluded Ease of Doing Business Summit in the “Doing Business, Competitive Ranking Mover – Dealing with Construction Permits (DWCP) Category”. This is in recognition of the company’s efficient stakeholder engagement with local government units in aiding customers in securing construction permits related to new water service applications.

In the summit, with the theme “Doing Business in Action: Pursuing Greater Efficiency Towards the New Normal”, ARTA highlighted the streamlining, re-engineering, and e-governance initiatives it has accomplished and implemented in the past year, as well as the projects and programs in the pipeline, all of which are geared towards the further enhancement of government service delivery strategies and promotion of ease of doing business in the country.

A portion of the summit was dedicated to recognizing significant efforts of partners, such as Manila Water, aligned with the parameters of the World Bank – Doing Business Report. The award, which was presented by ARTA Director General Jeremiah B. Belgica, was received by Manila Water Enterprise Regulatory Affairs Director for East Zone, Atty. Kaye Celera-Revil on behalf of the company. “We are grateful for this recognition for Manila Water as it affirms our priority of caring for our customers through proactive partnership and efficient delivery of our services for all our stakeholders,” Revil shared.

Manila Water is the exclusive water and wastewater services provider to the East Zone Concession area of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) in Metro Manila. Service area includes the cities of San Juan, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Taguig, Marikina, the municipality of Pateros, and portions of Manila, Makati, and Quezon City, as well as the entire province of Rizal. #(MWC Corporate Communications)

Manila Water wins Client of the Year in 2021 FIDIC Contract Users’ Awards

In recognition of its commitment to excellence, Manila Water was recently awarded as Client of the Year by FIDIC, or the International Federation of Consulting Engineers, in its 2021 Contract Users’ Awards. In the announcement posted on its website, FIDIC cited that “(t)he judges were impressed that the project highlighted a number of wider benefits such as capacity building and that the client had demonstrated its commitment to a wider use of FIDIC contracts in future, including the newer versions.” This is the first time that the Client of the Year category was included in the three-year old FIDIC Contract Users’ Awards.

In the entry prepared by Manila Water Construction and Contracts Management Framework Manager Rene N. Santos, it was highlighted how the company effectively adopted and applied the FIDIC Contract framework in achieving project delivery objectives. It also detailed how best practices and lessons learned in the application of the FIDIC form of contracts were referenced in the implementation of projects.

Manila Water Corporate Project Management Group Director Robert N. Baffrey said the award is an affirmation of the company’s commitment to excellent project delivery. “Manila Water is always looking for ways to ensure that our CAPEX projects are executed and delivered efficiently, from planning to completion. This recognition speaks volumes for our efforts to contribute towards nation building while providing excellent service to our customers and is a testament of our commitment to forge strong partnerships with our contractors and consultants,” Baffrey added.

The FIDIC Contract Users’ Awards “recognise excellence in the use of FIDIC contract forms for project delivery and showcase examples of good practice through collaboration from across the world.” #(MWC Corporate Communications)