More than 90% of employees of Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) joined “Walk the Line” field activities in 2025, demonstrating the company’s commitment to inclusive, on-the-ground action in the fight against water loss.

With support from local government units and barangay officials, these employee deployments spanned 199 locations across 12 cities, covering over 1,070 kilometers of pipelines and resulting in more than 1,700 actual leak repairs. These outputs significantly bolstered ongoing water loss management activities, helping to expedite leak detection and response on the ground.

The initiative forms part of Maynilad’s broader campaign to reduce Non-Revenue Water (NRW) and improve service reliability for its customers across the West Zone.

“Walk the Line encourages employees from all levels to see, firsthand, the challenges our technical teams face on the ground. It’s a chance to help detect leaks, inspect pipelines, and identify signs of water loss,” said Central NRW Head Engr. Ryan B. Jamora. “Their observations and reports helped surface issues faster and contributed meaningfully to our field operations.”

The monthly field activities not only deepen internal appreciation for Maynilad’s water loss management efforts, they also reinforce a culture of sustainability and accountability within the organization.

“The ‘Walk the Line’ initiative reflects Maynilad’s commitment to responsible water stewardship. It shows how every individual—regardless of role—can make a real contribution toward sustainable resource management,” said Chief Sustainability Officer Atty. Roel S. Espiritu.

The program complements the company’s comprehensive NRW reduction strategy, which includes active leak detection, pressure management, pipe rehabilitation, and community engagement. Employee involvement is key to strengthening these efforts and ensuring long-term water security.

With support from SM Foundation, San Vicente Health Center has been transformed to better serve nearly 15,000 residents, addressing space and infrastructure challenges and bringing Dr. Dane Calica and Dr. Marizel Wong’s patient-centered vision to life.

For nearly 15,000 residents across four barangays served by the San Vicente Health Center in Quezon City, the path to quality healthcare has just become clearer. A strong primary health care system begins with a shared vision that puts people first, brings services closer to communities, and treats health care as both a right and a responsibility.

This vision is reflected in the words of San Vicente Health Center medical officer Dr. Dane Calica and District 4 Health Officer Dr. Marizel Wong, whose dedication to public service found a meaningful partner in SM Foundation.

“My vision for a health center is one that is aligned with universal health care, strong, inclusive, modern, and patient-centered, where we promote wellness, prevent disease, treat illness, and deliver quality care across all stages of life,” Dr. Calica said.

The San Vicente Health Center has long served as a primary care provider, but demand has outpaced capacity. The facility faced space limitations, aging infrastructure, and challenges brought about by its location in a flood-prone area. Maternal and child health services, in particular, remained among the most in-demand, often filling the center early in the week.

Through SM Foundation’s health and medical programs, San Vicente Health Center is now equipped with DigiKonsulta, expanding access to consultations and strengthening primary care services for the community. IN PHOTO: Dr. Dane Calica

Recognizing these gaps, SM Foundation collaborated with the Quezon City local government unit to transform the health center not only structurally, but functionally. Among the most significant additions are a dedicated adolescent room, a breastfeeding room, and a minor surgical room.

The upgrades also include improved consultation rooms, expanded waiting areas, a pharmacy and dental clinic, and dedicated spaces for elderly patients, pregnant women, and children.

Through SM Foundation’s health and medical programs, the facility is now equipped with DigiKonsulta, enhancing access to consultations and health services. These upgrades now allow the San Vicente Health Center to meet the requirements for Department of Health accreditation as a Primary Care Facility,

“Malaking bagay ito because the public and private sectors really have to go hand in hand,” Dr. Wong said. “If the private sector gives efficiency, the government gives equity,” she said.

She added that the renovated facility now feels “more homelike,” creating a welcoming environment that encourages patients, especially those who were previously hesitant to seek care earlier.

The upgraded San Vicente Health Center now features a youth-friendly room aimed at closing gaps in adolescent healthcare.

A key feature of the renovation is the adolescent room, designed to address gaps in youth-friendly health services. Dr. Calica emphasized the importance of creating a safe and confidential space for young people, noting that “adolescents often hesitate to consult for mental health or reproductive concerns in shared clinical areas, which is why having a dedicated, youth-friendly room is crucial.”

San Vicente Health Center now offers a more welcoming, patient-centered environment where doctors deliver high-quality maternal and child health care, encouraging families to seek early consultations and preventive services.

Dr. Wong highlighted how the improvements enabled by SM Foundation encourage timely care-seeking. “Because of the renovation, more patients are now willing to come to the health center early,” she said. “This allows us to promote prevention and conduct early diagnosis, which helps reduce morbidity and mortality.”

“The upgrades by SM Foundation have strengthened not only our primary health care services but also supported our health care workers,” Dr. Calica shared. “This allows us to deliver better health outcomes for the community.”

The transformation of San Vicente Health Center is anchored in the commitment of its healthcare workers. Dr. Wong describes public health as a calling, one that brings fulfillment despite its challenges. For Dr. Calica, it is an “investment in the future,” grounded in the belief that “when we protect the current generation, we protect the generations to come.”

Through a collaboration between the Quezon City local government and SM Foundation, the facility has been transformed with expanded waiting areas, a dedicated medicine dispensing room, and inclusive spaces that encourage residents to seek early and preventive care.

District 4 Health Officer Dr. Marizel Wong attends to a senior patient at the San Vicente Health Center. Dr. Wong emphasizes that the “homelike” environment created by the renovation encourages residents to seek early consultations and preventive care.

TACLOBAN CITY — Patuloy ang “good vibes” para sa Leyte matapos ang Bar Examinations dahil opisyal nang kabilang ang Dr. V. Orestes Romualdez Educational Foundation (DVOREF) College of Law sa hanay ng mga pinakamahuhusay na law schools sa buong Pilipinas.

Base sa datos na inilabas ng Supreme Court nitong January 7, 2026, ang DVOREF ang itinanghal na 4th top-performing law school nationwide (para sa mga paaralang may higit sa 100 candidates). Nakakuha ang eskwelahan ng kahanga-hangang 80.19% passing rate para sa mga first-time examinees.

Tagumpay ng Probinsya sa Larangan ng Abogasya

Isang malaking “breakthrough” ito para sa bansa dahil ang DVOREF ang tanging law school mula sa probinsya na nakapasok sa Top 5 ng kanilang kategorya. Sa kabuuang 106 na kumuha ng exam, 85 ang pumasa, dahilan para makatabi ng DVOREF ang mga dambuhalang unibersidad sa Manila.

Top Law Schools (More than 100 First-Time Candidates):

1. Ateneo de Manila University
2. University of the Philippines
3. University of Santo Tomas
4. DVOREF College of Law
5. San Beda College of Law – Alabang

Vision at Dedikasyon ni Dean Martin Romualdez

Ang DVOREF College of Law ay pinamumunuan ni Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez. Bilang isang abogado na nagtapos sa UP College of Law, layunin ni Romualdez na itaas ang kalidad ng edukasyon sa labas ng Metro Manila.

“Ang tagumpay na ito ay patunay na ang excellence sa legal education ay hindi lang para sa Metro Manila,” ani Romualdez. “Ipinakita nito ang galing at sipag ng mga estudyante natin sa Leyte at Visayas. Patunay ito na basta’t tama ang mentorship at disiplina, kayang makipagsabayan ng ating mga regional graduates sa pinakamahuhusay sa bansa.”

Pinasalamatan din ni Dean Romualdez ang buong komunidad ng DVOREF. “Nagpapasalamat ako sa ating administrative staff, faculty members, mga magulang, at lalo na sa ating mga estudyante. Shared victory natin ito.”

World-Class Standards

Ang “Performance of Law Schools” report ng Supreme Court ang nagsisilbing official benchmark para sa kalidad ng mga law schools sa bansa. Sa paglampas ng DVOREF sa maraming sikat na paaralan sa Maynila, napatunayan nito na ang Leyte ay isa nang sentro ng karunungan sa batas.

Dalawang araw matapos ang 2025 Bar cycle, ang balitang ito ay nagdala ng ‘good vibes’ at inspirasyon sa lahat ng mga taga-Leyte at sa mga katuwang sa larangan ng batas.

New San Vicente Health Center in Quezon City. The health center is set to better serve over 15,000
residents from four different barangays after the SM Foundation completes its renovation.

SM Foundation has completed the renovation and turnover of the San Vicente Health Center in
Quezon City, which is set to serve around 15,000 residents from four nearby barangays.

The facility was renovated in partnership with the Quezon City local government and in line with
Department of Health standards, enabling it to apply for accreditation as a Primary Care Facility.

The foundation enhances the facility’s layout, optimizing spaces to create a safe, efficient, and
comfortable environment for both health professionals and patients.

The upgrades include improved consultation rooms, expanded waiting areas, a pharmacy and
dental clinic, a breastfeeding area, and dedicated spaces for elderly patients, pregnant women,
and children, intended to support efficient service delivery and patient access. The foundation
has also equipped the health facility with DigiKonsulta.

Through a social good collaboration, the SM Retail distributes health kits to residents and toys to
children in the community.

City health officials said the upgraded health center is expected to help improve preventive and
health-seeking behavior among residents by providing a more functional and accessible venue
for routine consultations, maternal and childcare, immunization, and other essential services.

As part of efforts to boost its health and medical programs, SM Foundation held a medical
mission alongside the turnover, providing free medical check-ups, X-ray services, and
electrocardiograms (ECG) to more than 300 residents.

The SM Retail also distributed health kits to residents and toys to young students in the
community.

The San Vicente Health Center is the 225th health facility completed by SM Foundation
nationwide and the 10th upgraded in Quezon City.

SM Foundation conducts a medical mission in Brgy. San Vicente, supporting the turnover of the
barangay’s health center.

‘Tis the season for smart shopping, and if you’ve been looking for a way to get a little extra back from your holiday hauls, now is the perfect time to get rewards you deserve as SMAC is making it incredibly easy for new members to start earning big with a special welcome offer this season.

Until December 31, 2025, new SMAC members can instantly unlock 50 SMAC Points—worth P50 (1 point = 1 Peso) —just for getting their SMAC Kit and linking it to the official SMAC&SHOP app. It’s a reward you can use to treat yourself or complete your shopping list at a massive network of retail partners, all for signing up for SMAC.

Why should you get the SMAC&SHOP app, you ask? One, if you absolutely love to shop at SM and its partner stores nationwide, it’s designed to be your ultimate shopping companion. The SMAC&SHOP app offers everything from SMAC QR access for quick payments to easy points tracking. Buying a physical SMAC Kit is the first step, but linking it to the app is what unlocks the full, rewarding experience.

Here’s how to claim your FREE 50 SMAC Points:

1. Purchase a SMAC Kit at any participating store like SM Store, Our Home, Levi’s, or Surplus inside SM Malls for only P200 for a 5-year membership.
2. Activate your new SMAC via SMS following the instructions in your kit.
3. Download the SMAC&SHOP appand link your new SMAC within 7 days of activation. Simply go to Manage Cards > Click Link Card > Input your 16-digit SMAC number > Enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
4. A voucher for 50 SMAC Points will appear in your Voucher tab within 5 days. Tap “Get Points” to have them credited to your account and start paying with points instantly!

It’s that quick and easy! Think of the free extra points as an instant boost to your shopping budget. SMAC Points can be used just like cash across SM’s extensive list of retail brands, including SM Store, SM Markets, Toy Kingdom, Baby Company, Pet Express, ACE Hardware, Sports Central, and many more. If you’ve got a long list of things to get this Christmas, every point and peso definitely counts.

Don’t wait—now is the time to start earning rewards and enjoying the full benefits of SMAC. Again, the offer runs until December 31, 2025, so make sure to get started before the holiday season is over!

Buy a SMAC Kit and link it to the SMAC&SHOP app now! Download the SMAC&SHOP app on the App Store or Google Play for free.

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