THE Municipality of E. B. Magalona in Negros Occidental has signed an agreement with the Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation Inc. (Aidfi), a nongovernment organization based in Bacolod City, for a comprehensive water management program on Thursday, March 6, 2025.
The signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) led by Mayor Marvin Malacon and Aidfi co-founder and chief executive officer Auke Idzenga, a Dutch marine engineer now based in the Philippines, was witnessed by Aidfi project consultant Raffy Butch Bacaoco and E. B. Magalona Waterworks Office (EBMWO) head Frenie Torrechiva.
Malacon said the Aidfi, the foundation behind the pioneering hydraulic ram pump, focuses on helping rural communities through technological innovation, social enterprising and community development.
He said that under the agreement, Aidfi shall assist the EBMWO in developing a comprehensive and holistic program for the management of non-water revenue (NRW) that will be funded by the Coca-Cola Foundation.
He added that water districts and waterworks offices experience substantial operational losses in the form of NRW. If properly managed and reduced, these NRW could translate to more water services to more consumers and more revenues for the water districts and waterworks offices.
Through this comprehensive NRW Management Plan, Malacon noted that EBMWO could properly manage and minimize its NRW losses and could lead to improved services to its consumers.
The program involves a two-year study, starting with the Municipal Government sending at least four employees of EBMWO to a training-workshop at the Maynilad Water Academy.
The mayor said the EBMWO representatives will act as a dedicated team that will collaborate with Aidfi during the entire two-year study, starting from the training up to the development of a NRW Management Plan.
“Specifically, the EBMWO representatives will assist Aidfi and Maynilad Water Academy personnel during the conduct of scanning and survey of the water distribution system, household survey, leak detection, flow measuring and other related activities,” he said.
Coca-Cola Foundation also partnered with Aidfi to collaborate with five select waterworks offices in Negros Occidental for the development of a NRW Management Plan, which it will fund.
In its commitment to helping ensure water sufficiency and safety for future generations, Coca-Cola Foundation has already embarked on programs such as the Agos Project, which provides water to upland communities with little to no access to potable water.
Joining the meeting were Aidfi chief operating officer Che Idzenga and Municipal Consultant on Mechanical Engineering Works Jessil Plaza- Casilagan. / MAP