(L-R) Engr. Zmel Grabillo, Maynilad SAVP and Head, Wastewater Management Division; Engr. Patrick Dizon, MWSS-CO Acting Deputy Administrator for Engineering and Technical Operations; Atty. Patrick Lester Ty, MWSS-RO Chief Regulator; Ar. Loyd R. Enriquez, Muntinlupa City Government Acting City Architect; Engr. Dynadelle N. Aranda, Muntinlupa City Government City Engineer/Acting Building Official; Ms. Lorna B. Misa, Muntinlupa City Government Acting Head, Environmental Protection & Natural Resource Office/Lake Management Office/Environmental Sanitation Center; Ms. Catherine Buena, LLDA Assistant General Manager; Ms. Marie Antonette De Ocampo, Maynilad SAVP and Head of Corporate Affairs & Communication; and Mr. Randolph T. Estrellado, Maynilad Chief Operating Officer
Pride in restrooms lifted the Muntinlupa City Government to the spotlight of the 2024 Oro Inodoro Awards, as the local government unit bagged two trophies, including the Grand Winner Award, for its excellent public restrooms.
The awarding recognized the best restrooms in various parts of the country through three (3) major categories, namely Offices and Schools, Commercial and Retail, and Parks and Terminals. The Muntinlupa LGU also finished on top of the Offices and Schools Category, edging other finalists University of Santo Tomas and Manila Broadcasting Company.
“Gusto nating magkaroon ng pleasant experience ‘yung mga gumagamit ng ating comfort rooms. Importante ang CR sa lahat ng facilities,” said Engr. Dynadelle Aranda, Muntinlupa City Government City Engineer/Acting Building Official, who also touted their wastewater management. “Sa pamamagitan ng ating sariling STP (Sewage Treatment Plant), we make sure na bago natin i-discharge ang wastewater, malinis po ito. Importante siya hindi lang para sa sanitation kundi sa health ng buong komunidad.”
The award-winning restroom of Muntinlupa City Hall displays aesthetics and cleanliness, but most importantly, it’s backed by sound wastewater management
Calle Café, a restaurant in España, Manila, took the plum in the Commercial and Retail category, beating the Grand Ballroom in Okada Manila and Cleanfuel’s C5 Amvel branch.
Meanwhile, Palacio De Memoria, a cultural landmark in Parañaque, won the Parks and Terminals major award over worthy finalists Vista Terminal Exchange and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3.
The Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) earned the special award called Banyo ng Bayan, or the people’s choice award, which is judged through social media likes. Ayala Malls Cloverleaf took another special award titled Banyo Para Sa Lahat, which measured features that make restrooms inclusive and accessible to marginalized groups such as differently-abled persons, various gender expressions, and parents who need childcare equipment like diaper changing stations.
The grand winner took home a cash prize worth P30,000, while category winners and special awards winners each netted a P10,000 prize. The winners were honored in a ceremony held in Rizal Park Hotel, Manila, on November 19, which the United Nations proclaimed as World Toilet Day.
Marie Antonette De Ocampo, Maynilad’s SAVP and Head of Corporate Affairs and Communication, underscored the importance of the often-overlooked public restrooms. “The Oro Inodoro Awards remind us that public restrooms are reflections of our collective values and our commitment to providing safe and dignified spaces for all. By recognizing these exceptional establishments, we set a benchmark for others to aspire to and reinforce the idea that hygiene and sanitation are cornerstones of a healthier, more sustainable Metro Manila,” she said.
Oro Inodoro Awards, backed by Maynilad Water Services, Inc., is an annual awarding program that has been recognizing the best public restrooms in the country since 2016. The backbone of Oro Inodoro Awards lies in how a public restroom provides ginhawa to Filipinos. Beyond aesthetics and cleanliness, it takes into account accessibility, comfort, responsible wastewater management, and eco-friendly practices in running and maintaining the public restrooms.
Randolph Estrellado, Chief Operating Officer of Maynilad, emphasized in his keynote speech that a clean public restroom does not just provide conveniences, but promote public health and dignity.
“Let us not forget that sanitation is a shared responsibility. May we all be reminded that maintaining clean and safe facilities is a communal effort—one that requires collaboration among government agencies, private organizations, and every individual who uses these spaces,” Estrellado said.
“Maynilad reaffirms its commitment to pushing for greater access to proper sanitation and wastewater management. We look forward to working hand in hand with you all, to build communities that value hygiene and sustainability, ensuring that these ideals are carried into the future,” he elaborated.
Engr. Zmel Grabillo, SAVP and Head of Wastewater Management Division at Maynilad, is proud to see a set of finalists who committed to do their part. “We have seen institutions with their own sewage treatment plants. Talagang ginugulan para sa ikabubuti ng kanilang mga palikuran. This really demonstrates responsible wastewater management, which eventually safeguards and protect the environment and the community,” he said.
The Oro Inodoro Awards, formerly called Golden Kubeta Awards, took in nominations from netizens through the Kubeta PH Facebook page. Finalists went through an evaluation and audit process conducted by a panel of experts.
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Government officials also took part in the ceremony to recognize the importance of public restrooms.
(L-R): Mr. Christopher Lichauco, Maynilad SAVP and Head of Customer Experience and Retail; Mr. Roderick M. Planta, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Assistant Secretary for Investment Programming; Ms. Mhaycee Anne Llanes, Calle Café – Espana Store Manager; Dr. Carlos Primo David, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary and Head of the Water Resources Management Office (WRMO); and Mr. Randolph Estrellado, Maynilad Chief Operating Officer
Banyo Para Sa Lahat winner, Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, ticks all the boxes in an inclusive and dignified public restroom
Oro Inodoro Awards winners brought home unique gold trophies sculpted by Talim Island-based artist Tata Raul Funilas to mark their significant contribution to public health
(L-R, top row first) Mr. Jose Rizal O. Batiles, Maynilad SAVP & Head of Enterprise Risk Management & Internal Audit; Atty. Roel S. Espiritu Maynilad VP for Quality, Sustainability & Resiliency; Mr. Christopher Chuegan, MWSS-RO Deputy Administrator for Financial Regulation; Mr. Lee Robert Britanico, MWSS-RO Deputy Administrator for Customer Service Regulation; Atty. Patrick Lester Ty, MWSS-RO Chief Regulator; Mr. Christopher Lichauco, Maynilad SAVP and Head of Customer Experience and Retail; Ms. Catherine Buena, LLDA Assistant General Manager; Atty. Claudine Isorena, MWSS-RO Deputy Administrator; Engr. Ronald Padua, Maynilad VP for Water Supply Operations; Mr. Marcos de Jesus, Maynilad VP and Technical Assistant to the President and CEO; Engr. Patrick Dizon, Maynilad Acting Deputy Administrator;
Ms. Marie Antonette De Ocampo, Maynilad SAVP and Head of Corporate Affairs & Communication; Ms. Serene Christyear De Vera, Palacio de Memoria Research Specialist; Ms. Mhaycee Anne Llanes, Calle Café – Espana Store Manager; Ar. Loyd R. Enriquez, Muntinlupa City Government Acting City Architect; Engr. Dynadelle N. Aranda, Muntinlupa City Government City Engineer/Acting Building Official; Ms. Kolyn Calbasa, PITX Corporate Affairs Senior Officer; Mr. Ronald Laloon, Ayala Malls Cloverleaf Operations Associate Manager; Mr. Randolph Estrellado, Maynilad Chief Operating Officer; and Engr. Zmel Grabillo, Maynilad SAVP and Head of Wastewater Management Division.
Maynilad Head of Corporate Affairs and Communication Marie Antonette De Ocampo lauded the efforts of the finalists, which demonstrated that maintaining sanitary public spaces is not just a duty but a shared responsibility
Maynilad COO Randolph Estrellado emphasized that sanitation and hygiene are cornerstones of sustainability
Oro Inodoro Awards winners, finalists, Maynilad executives and partners gather for a group photo to commemorate the 2024 edition of the awarding
