News

Prime Infra-led WawaJVCo, Inc. continues to advocate community resilience by strengthening the disaster preparedness and response skills of its host communities in Rizal province.

In partnership with non-government organization People’s Initiative for Learning and Community Development (PILCD), WawaJVCo recently concluded Phase 2 of its training workshop on Inclusive Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management for community first responders of Barangay Pintong Bukawe in San Mateo, Barangay Calawis in Antipolo City, and Barangay San Rafael in Rodriguez.

During the seminar, WawaJVCo also donated safety equipment that will assist first responders in times of emergencies and disasters. These include hard hats, safety boots and vests, rescue stretchers, and first aid kits.

“More than building resilient infrastructure, WawaJVCo also supports strengthening community resilience. The Philippines is highly vulnerable to disasters, and it is important that our communities, especially the first responders, are equipped with the proper tools and skills that would reduce impact and allow them to bounce back quicker in times of disasters,”  said Melvin John Tan, president of WawaJVCo.

“This is part of our strong commitment to protect our host communities even beyond the completion of the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project,” he added.

The first two phases of the training workshop focused on a community-based approach on disaster management, and highlighted the importance of identifying and reducing risks through hazard mapping.

“Effective risk management will counter the negative effects of disasters,” PILCD Executive Director Ramon Mapa said. “Response teams are crucial not only during disasters, but also in reconstruction and recovery, and we hope this capacity building training will enable the communities to better manage the impact of such situations.”

Participants and barangay captains thanked WawaJVCo for the training program and other Corporate Social Responsibility projects the company has initiated since the bulk water supply project started.

WawaJVCo, a joint venture of Prime Infra and San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders and Developers Group, Inc., is developing the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project which aims to ensure water security by providing ample supply to Metro Manila and the province of Rizal. It involves the construction of two water supply infrastructures that will deliver at least 518 million liters per day to offtaker Manila Water Company and Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System.