The 29th Philippine Water Works Association (PWWA) Summit, held at the Henann
Convention Center in Panglao, Bohol from October 4-6, 2023, was a resounding
success.
The event was organized in partnership with Bohol Water Utilities, Inc. (BWUI), and
brought together leaders of water utilities and concerned agencies from across the
country and around the world.
The summit, themed “Overcoming Global Challenges in Water and Wastewater,”
served as a platform for international collaboration and knowledge sharing among
water industries and water utility companies. It addressed global challenges and
issues in water and wastewater management.
Marnellie Bautista, BWUI general manager, said the event was fruitful and beneficial
to the participating water utility companies, such as Bohol Water.
She added that it brought broader opportunities through international collaboration
and knowledge exchange.
The event was graced by distinguished personalities from the government and
leaders from the water industry sector.
Atty. Jose Victor Emmanuel De Dios, President of Manila Water Company, Inc.,
spoke about the company’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship
and championing sustainable water and wastewater management.
DENR Undersecretary for Integrated Environmental Science and Water Resources
Management, Dr. Carlos Primo C. David, discussed the government’s initiatives on
water resources management, particularly in the development of dams and other
large bodies of water.
PWWA president Atty. Vicente Joyas delivered the opening remarks, setting the tone
for the summit’s discussions and deliberations.
His insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the water and wastewater
sector provided a comprehensive perspective on this year’s theme.
Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) Administrator Atty. Vicente Homer Revil
stressed the importance of sustainable water management practices as well as local
and regional collaboration in tackling water-related issues.
World Bank’s Senior Water Supply and Sanitation Specialist, Ma. Fionella “Lala”
Fabella, discussed WB support to water utilities to address global water challenges.
The event also featured a 9-man delegation from Japan headed by Mr. Hidekazu
Kuraya, who shared best practices and the current status of water supply and
countermeasure technologies in Japan.
Dr. IR. TS. HI Mohmad Asari Daud, president of Malaysian Water Association, also
shared insights on water financing-value of water.
The summit showcased various state-of-the-art products for waterworks industries
from local and foreign suppliers.
New technologies, promising products, and services on water supply and
wastewater treatment offered by major companies in the global water sector were
also featured during the event.
Bohol Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado graced the second day of the event to
personally thank PWWA officers for making Bohol the host province for the 29th
summit.
The Japanese delegation made a special visit to Bohol Water office and Ohan spring
facilities in Lourdes, Cortes to personally observe its operation.
The group expressed their optimism that Bohol Water is a potential water utility
company.