#22 Manila Water (Tubig Para sa Barangay): A Model for Inclusive Water Service

DescriptionThis episode details the Tubig Para sa Barangay (TPSB) program, an initiative by Manila Water to provide clean, affordable water to low-income and informal settlements in Metro Manila’s East Zone. Launched in 1998 following the privatization of water services, the program addressed a crisis where the urban poor paid exorbitant prices for unsafe water while the utility suffered from massive water losses due to illegal connections. By implementing innovative engineering, such as clustered meters, and offering subsidized connection fees, the program successfully integrated nearly two million marginalized residents into the formal network. Central to its success was a community-based model that fostered trust, created local jobs, and encouraged residents to become stewards of the infrastructure. Consequently, the initiative dramatically reduced non-revenue water levels and significantly improved public health by lowering the incidence of waterborne diseases. Today, TPSB is recognized globally as a landmark case study for socially inclusive business and sustainable utility management in developing urban environmentsKey wordsWater Services, Inclusive Innovation, Communities, Innovative Engineering