Insider Spotlight
The move highlights the mounting challenges faced by disaster-stricken communities as the Philippines grapples with back-to-back calamities: Typhoon Opong in Masbate and a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Cebu just days later.
Relief efforts are stretched thin, making corporate interventions like Manila Water’s both urgent and vital.
Why it matters
Access to clean water is often one of the first lifelines cut in the wake of natural disasters. Without it, survivors face heightened risks of dehydration, disease outbreaks, and slower recovery. Manila Water’s quick deployment underscores how corporate relief efforts can supplement strained government resources during overlapping crises.
“Access to clean water is critical in the aftermath of disasters. Our team in Masbate is working closely with local authorities to ensure that affected families have safe drinking water as they begin to rebuild,” said Jeric Sevilla, Manila Water communication affairs group director.
Between the lines
The company’s coordination with the Office of Civil Defense was key in ensuring aid reached the most affected barangays quickly. At the same time, Manila Water extended support to Cebu, where its subsidiary continues to supply water to earthquake-hit municipalities — a rare example of a private firm mobilizing for dual-front disaster response.
The bottom line
For families in Masbate, a steady flow of clean water is more than relief — it’s survival. Manila Water’s intervention shows how corporate aid can bridge critical gaps when multiple crises strike simultaneously. – Ed. Princess Daisy C. Ominga
