FROM SMALL TO BIG WATER DISTRICT

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

VCWD started its operations back in the year 1980 with meager facilities as follows: 2 intake boxes located at Sitios Cabanuangan and Maulawan, 227 cubic meter ground reservoir, 47 kilometers dilapidated transmission and distribution lines and 275 unmetered connections on top of a meager flat rate of P10.00 per connection, per month.

Sometime in the year 1985, VCWD was given a break with the facility of the first approved loan from LWUA. It was able to successfully undertake several developments in the form of implementation of the metering of all water connections, repair of leakages, installation, and improvement of transmission and distribution lines, among others. In the span of 10 years of its operations, VWD grew from 150 unmetered connections to 2,100 active service connections. Continuous repair of old and dilapidated lines and laying of additional lines were implemented. Valencia was re-classified into a city on January 12, 2001, thus renaming VWD to Valencia City Water District (VCWD), following the mandate of P.D. 198, the charter governing water districts.

In 2011, Valencia City Water District transferred to its new office located at Purok 4A Poblacion, Valencia City. The following year, the set of Board of Directors, through Board Resolution No. 003-2011, appointed Ms. Ma. Socorro Ester R. Paluga, the Executive Assistant to the Board, as concurrent Acting Manager effective January 11, 2011. With GM Paluga’s creative and active visioning, several projects were implemented such as the gradual elimination of “spaghetti lines;” proactive approach to systems problems, billing and collection systems, and effective community involvement, among others. On March 14, 2012, VCWD was categorized as a Category “B” water district per Local Water Utilities Administration’s Certificate of Category. On the same year, VCWD ventured a Php 65 million DBP loan to resolve the perennial problems in barangays Lumbo and Poblacion, giving top priority to the elevated parts of the terrain. A significant year it was as GM Paluga was duly conferred as the full-pledged General Manager of VCWD effective June 1, 2012.

In 2012, VCWD ventured a Php 65 million DBP loan to resolve the perennial problems in Barangays Lumbo and Poblacion, giving top priority to the elevated parts of the terrain. In line with VCWD’s proposed expansion programs across the Pulangui Bridge, portion of the loan was realigned for the well development of well no. 12 at Barangay Pinatilan and installation of transmission main lines with 12” dia., 10” dia., and 8” dia. pipelines.

From its humble beginnings, VCWD has already achieved major accomplishments in its effort to continuously deliver quality water to its concessionaires, to name only a few: replacement and abandonment of leaking pipes and distribution lines, rehabilitation work geared toward a comprehensive and expanded water supply system, human resource development, strengthening of the mechanisms to enhance customer service, watershed development and expansion, intensive application of effective marketing strategies, development of computerized program for the billing and collection system, continuing modernization of its existing water supply, completion of its new and spacious  Administration Building to cater to its increasing number of personnel, and well drilling of additional pump stations.

VCWD, driven by its vision in strongly recognizing community responsibility, undertook various programs and initiatives in protecting and preserving the very source of its water supply. Various tree-planting and tree-growing activities were conducted through the district’s active partnership with different organizations. For one, VCWD partners with Bukidnon Association of Water Districts (BAWD) and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in one full festive to help protect and conserve the environment in which 1,600 seedlings were planted at Mt. Kitanglad. Further, VCWD fully supports the teachers of Valencia City Central School in its tree-planting activity conducted at VCWD Watershed and Nature Park. On the same year, VCWD was certified with ISO 9001:2015 QMS. Such certificate measures the organization’s ability to provide products and services that meet customer’s needs, and its aim to enhance satisfaction through the effective application of the system.  The certificate exhibits that VCWD continues to set its bar high by providing customers with its quality policy’s focal point of an excellent customer-focused service.

In 2019, VCWD’s Water Testing Laboratory was launched on the agency’s 39^th year Anniversary, adhering to the standard quality of water set by the Philippine National Standard for Drinking Water. Conversely, an additional water source was activated designated at Pump Station 14, thus augmenting the need for water supply in Purok 6, Poblacion.  In the same year, the SALINTUBIG project— a water supply expansion initiative aimed at augmenting the need for safe and potable supply of the residents, was completed.

In its mission in embracing innovations, flexibility, and receptiveness to new technologies, VCWD ventured into a new billing and collection system. GeoNobel Systems offered the district new innovations which highlights  and focuses on water operations tasks, meter reading, service requests, billing cycles,  and account information which includes a robust dashboard for rich visualization and self-service analytics that helps manage critical data essential to water operation and utility billing program.  Likewise, VCWD ventures into renewable energy through solar facility to cut down on soaring power cost. In the present, VCWD is serving to 22,457 customers, covering 16 Barangays of the City.