East Zone concessionaire Manila Water has enlisted the assistance of the local government of Cainta in Rizal in its continuing effort to effectively implement the Toka Toka program, the first and only environmental movement in the Philippines on used water management.
Manila Water East Zone Business Operations Group Director Ferdinand Dela Cruz said the partnership with local government units such as Cainta is part of the holistic approach of Manila Water achieve a comprehensive solution to water pollution and ensure the success of the Toka Toka program especially since LGUs are operating at the grassroots levels.
Dela Cruz explained that despite the efforts of Manila Water to bring back or revive the cleanliness of waterways as exemplified by the Toka Toka initiative, it still need the help of organizations, institutions and LGUs to make it happen like the municipality of Cainta.
At the same time, he stressed that the partnership showed that Manila Water is serious in its goal and responsibility in reviving the major river systems particularly the Marikina, San Juan and Pasig Rivers.
For his part, Cainta Mayor Johnielle “Kit” Nieto welcomed the partnership with Manila Water and said they will include Toka Toka’s campaign in the municipality’s public message billboards located in strategic parts of the municipality.
Nieto also vowed to include the advocacy in cinemas as well as in Karangalan Sewage Treatment Plants and other media channels.
Manila Water’s Toka Toka advocacy started in 2012 when it began to partner and implement the initiative through its core message that everyone has a stake in reviving our rivers and waterways.
This message is translated to four “ownable” acts that each individual can own as their TOKA: (1) T-talakayan at edukasyon patungkol sa nagamit na tubig (2) O-organisadong basurahan (3) K –koneksyon o magpakonekta sa sewer line ng Manila Water (4) A-aktibong pagpapa-desludge ng poso negro tuwing limang taon.
Manila Water is the East Zone concessionaire of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System that provides water and used water services to more than 6.2 million residents of parts of Quezon City and Manila, Marikina, Pasig, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Pateros, Makati, Taguig and several towns in Rizal Province.