HISTORY OF SAN JOSE WATER DISTRICT
Historical Background
In order to immediately effect the improvement and expansion on the existing water facilities and with the initiative of Mayor Juan G. Santos, the San Jose Water District (SJWD) was created through Sangguniang Bayan Resolution No. 38 dated June 24, 1978. Present during the session were SB Member Gaudencio Espiritu, SB Member Francisco Asilo, SB Member Juancho Castronuevo, SB Member Pantaleon Novio, Jr., SB Member Modesto Manahan, Jr., SB Member Florencio Bumatay, SB Member Rodolfo Cajayon, SB Member Advinculo Pacaul, SB Member Pascacio Lachica, SB Member Jose Gayona and SB Member Florentino Reyes. SB Resolution No. 38, together with other documentary requirements were filed at Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA). Subsequently, after complying with the minimum requirements of LWUA's Certification Program, Conditional Certificate of Conformance No. 062, a certificate which entitles the Water District to all LWUA technical and financial assistance, was issued to SJWD on August 28, 1978.
Col. Zoilo M. Perez (Retired), who was then assisting the Mayor as Municipal Administrator, was requested to be the General Manager of the San Jose Water District in as much as he had already been managing and actually supervising the operations of the Municipal Waterworks System. There were already one hundred sixty six (166) existing connections at that time of the SJWD formation. All the existing water facilities of the Municipal Waterworks System were transferred to the jurisdiction, control and ownership of SJWD.
The Resolution also provided a small subsidy of P10, 400.00, enough to start an office and hire one (1) employee. SJWD Board of Directors, during its formation, were Chairman Leon Sebastian, Vice-chairman Miguel Sadol, Secretary Lolita Balilo, Treasurer Isauro Cajayon and Member Mariano Ramirez.
The very first SJWD office was only 9 square meters of space at the market site. Board meetings were held at the residences of Chairman Leon Sebastian, Treasurer Isauro Cajayon and GM Zoilo Perez because of lack of space. For several months, the board of directors received no salary. Treasurer Cajayon later offered free office space at the 2nd floor of his rice mill office and when the Municipal Building Annex was renovated, 50 square meters office space and storeroom was allowed by the Mayor to be used by SJWD.
Sources and Problems
San Jose is a first-class municipality and situated in the southern tip of Occidental Mindoro. It is surrounded with salty rivers and salt beds in the south-east and south and by China Sea in the west. SJWD primarily depends on shallow wells dug in the heart of town. No digging can be made beyond 20 feet since experience has taught that water beyond this depth is either salty or sulfuric. Deep wells can only be dug at least 10 km from the seacoast.
From 1978 onwards, expansion greatly relies on the number of concessionaires. There is an ever-increasing demand for safe water. Water rates are periodically raised not only to maintain the present wells and pumping station but to dig more wells and pumping stations and hopefully to start a deep well project so that more homes will be able to tap safe drinking water.
The SJWD was cited for its performance and received the following awards:
Best Collection Efficiency (1984, 1985, 1988)
Most Outstanding Water District (Small Category)
Most Outstanding Water District (Medium Category)
At present, SJWD Board of Directors is composed of the following diligent and hardworking individuals:
From being a small water district, SJWD is now in the Average Category, a few point away from the Big Category. All these accomplishments inspire SJWD to work even harder to achieve its vision-mission of providing safe, potable and affordable to all its end users and all waterless barangays. SJWD will surely realize its goals through cooperation, commitments and team work of its hardworking and dedicated Board of Directors, Management and whole workforce. SJWD envisions to embark on a more aggressive implementation of its expansion, extension and development plans of its water system, God willing and resources permit, to give Municipalities of San Jose and Magsaysay and nearby communities the quality water service they deserve.
The corporate charter of the San Jose Water District – as well as all of water districts for that matter have acquired a final stamp from the Supreme Court in 1992. Henceforth, they would now become Government Owned and Controlled Corporation (GOCC), subject to the regulations of the Commission on Audit (COA), Civil Service Commission (CSC), and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
VISION
“A service-oriented, economically stable, environment-friendly agency, partnering with other institutions in providing adequate, safe, potable and affordable water supply to the people of San Jose and nearby communities.”
MISSION
We are committed to:
• Provide 24 hours quality service by the maximum use of resources;
• Improve operational systems, expand services within service area and nearby communities;
• Develop, protect and preserve watershed to sustain the availability of water supply;
• Strengthen linkages with other institutions through constant communication and information dissemination;
• Promote teamwork and instill work attitude towards productivity and client satisfaction.
OBJECTIVES
San Jose Water District was established to provide the residents of San Jose and nearby Municipality of sufficient supply of potable water, develop, protect and preserve the nature in connection with the development program of the Municipal Government for the benefit of the community.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
a. Provide excellent water service and facilities.
b. Provide efficient and effective manpower.
c. Ensure efficient management of financial resources.
d. Preservation and rehabilitation of water shed resources
e. Building partnership and strengthening linkages with other agencies.
PERFORMANCE PLEDGE
We, the officials and employees of the San Jose Water District pledge to commit to:
ork even after office hours in order to deliver quality service by supplying adequate, safe, potable and affordable water to concessionaires;
ct promptly, efficiently and with integrity to service request of our clientele;
nsure the Public that all policies, rules and regulations of the District are in accordance with the existing laws;
espond to concessionaires’ complaints immediately with politeness and courtesy.