The Metro Dumaguete Water (MDW), a Joint Venture company between the Dumaguete City Water District (DCWD) and Metro Pacific Water (MPW), gave cellphones to the City’s 30 barangays, in partnership with sister company PLDT-SMART Communications, to launch Barangay hotlines.

MDW Chief Operating Officer David Berba said the program aims to establish an easier and faster line of communication between the barangays and MDW and other agencies, and most of all the barangay constituents.

Initially conceptualized as a means of strengthening the barangays’ involvement in reporting water leaks, Berba shared how these phones should help even with safety and security concerns and other administrative responsibilities of the Barangays. This program is a product of the continued partnership between the ABC, headed by its president, Councilor Dionie Amores, which started last year.

MDW had been seeking the support of the barangay captains in monitoring the water lines within the city for leaks that contribute to water losses. The support of the barangay captains in reporting leaks has been instrumental in reducing the water losses, also called Non-Revenue Water (NRW) from a high of 46 percent last year to 40 percent last month.

ABC President Amores and the rest of the Punong Barangays received one android mobile smartphone from MDW along with one SIM card and startup load from PLDT-SMART.

Amores extended his organization’s heartfelt appreciation to MDW for its continued support and partnership. “Since their start of operations, MDW has always reached out to the barangays and made sure to address our concerns,” Amores added.

Berba also introduced four new area managers as key contact persons of MDW to the barangays. All four area managers are assigned to specific barangays and will focus on their community’s water problems and concerns.

Apart from the donation of phones, MDW will also be launching Kauban sa Barangay Roadshows across various barangays to provide pop-up satellite services for application of new water service connections, reconnections, addressing customer complaints, and even an extended bills payment center.

“Kauban sa Barangay is our commitment to bring MDW’s services closer to all of you,” said Berba.

From now on, all barangays may be reached through their official mobile contact number which their community could contact for any concerns. Amores said this is a huge improvement for the barangays in the conduct of their daily operations. The barangay hotline numbers are: Poblacion 1 – 0960-877-8814, Poblacion 2 – 0960-877-8823, Poblacion 3 – 0960-877-8827, Poblacion 4 – 0960-877-8829, Poblacion 5 – 0960-877-8821, Poblacion 6 – 0960-877-8804, Poblacion 7 – 0960-877-8801, Poblacion 8 – 0960-877-8803, Pulantubig – 0960-877-8812, Camanjac – 0960-877-8820, Motong – 0960-877-8802, Piapi – 0960-877-1508, Calindagan – 0960-877-8831, Bajumpandan – 0960-877-8822, Banilad – 0960-877-8828, Bagacay – 0960877-8807, Mangnao – 0960-877-8830, Cadawinonan – 0960-877-8825, Bantayan – 0960-877-8809, Batinguel – 0960-877-8810, Lo-oc – 0960-877-8818, Candau-ay – 0960-877-8819, Bunao – 0960-877-8811, Balugo -0960-877-8806, Talay – 0960-877-8815, Taclobo – 0960-877-8817, Junob – 0960-877-8808, Cantil-e – 0960-877-8826, Tabuc-tubig – 0960-877-8816, and Daro – 0960877-8824.