Regulatory Realities and Water Industry Mentorship: An Exchange with John Macabinta, Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD), Philippines
In this special series of conversations supported by Isle Utilities in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), host Piers Clark interviews John Macabinta, manager at Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) in the Philippines. John shares his career journey from electrical engineering to his 23-year tenure at MCWD. He discusses the operations and scale of MCWD, highlighting its role in serving nearly half a million people in Cebu. John also delves into his mentorship role in the ADB's Water Operators Partners for Resilience (WOP4R) program, where MCWD mentors the Kawasoti Water Utilities Committee of Nepal. They focus on non-revenue water management, GIS mapping, and business planning. John also expresses the challenges and aspirations regarding the regulatory environment in the Philippines, advocating for better support and valuation of water services. The podcast concludes with a touching personal anecdote from John about a heartfelt message from his daughter during a work trip. This episode offers valuable insights into water management practices and regulatory challenges in the Philippines.
00:00 Introduction
00:24 John Macabinta's Background and Career Journey
01:01 Overview of Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD)
01:51 Mentorship in the Asian Development Bank's Program
03:07 Comparing Water Utilities: Cebu vs. Nepal
05:30 Regulatory Environment and Challenges in the Philippines
10:10 Personal Insights: A Touching Father's Day Story
11:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
