Former President Fidel V. Ramos graced the graduation rites for the 44 licensed engineers who passed the Cadet Engineer Program (CEP) of Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad).
The 44 engineers formally joined the ranks of the water company after completing six months of rigorous training under the CEP. This new batch of Maynilad cadet engineers were carefully selected from thousands of applicants all over the country. They underwent trainings that combine classroom lectures and on-the-job training on water supply operations, water recovery and wastewater management.
“Facilitating the holistic development of every cadet engineer is necessary to prepare them for the challenges that come with transforming the water and wastewater services for our customers,” said Maynilad President and CEO Ricky P. Vargas.
Former President Fidel V. Ramos graced the cadet graduation and delivered his inspirational message to the cadets.
“My official ties with Maynilad and the larger water management community actually go way back to the 7th of June 1995, when I signed the National Water Crisis Act which paved the way for the water privatization in Metro Manila. I hope that the same concept will be applied all over the Philippines because it has become an effective, functional and comprehensive solution to the needs of many communities not only in the Philippines but also worldwide. And that is really the higher importance of this event today,” said Ramos.
During his term, Ramos signed the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Law which recognizes the role of the private sector as the “main engine for national growth and development” and provides appropriate incentives for the government’s possible private sector partnerships. The BOT Law was complemented by the passage of the Philippine Water Crisis Act of 1995, thus paving the way for the privatization of the Philippine water industry.
To the cadets, Ramos issued a challenge. “By virtue of this graduation today, I truly believe that the good Lord is giving you a fantastic opportunity to help our people. You can make a difference because now you know how to do most of it. So don’t squander the gains of those who toiled before you.”
The Maynilad CEP has recently been recognized by the World HRD Congress as the Best Change Management Program in the recently concluded National Training and Development Awards.
Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines in terms of customer base. It is the agent and contractor of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) for the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area, which is composed of the cities of Manila (certain portions), Quezon City (certain portions), Makati (west of South Super Highway), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon, all in Metro Manila; the cities of Cavite, Bacoor and Imus, and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario, all in Cavite Province.
PHOTO CAPTION: FVR receives tokens of appreciation from Maynilad officials Christopher Lichauco (left), Business Area Operations Head, and Herbert Consunji (right), Chief Operating Officer, after he graced the graduation rites for the 44 licensed engineers who completed the Maynilad Cadet Engineer Program.