ObTech, Subic Water sign SAP implementation program

Subic Water and Sewerage Company Inc. announced recently that it had signed up with ObTech Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. Philippines, to implement SAP Business One – a single integrated business management application for small businesses - in an effort to streamline its business operations and processes.

Edna Canlas, general manager of Subic Water, said they chose ObTech as implementation partner mainly because of the cost effectiveness it offers. ObTech was also able to show that it has the breadth and scalability to handle the complex requirements of Subic Water’s information technology operations on account of its wider expertise and better efficiency compared to the competition.

With the SAP Business One in place, Canlas believes Subic Water will soon be able to offer more accurate water billing and take advantage of better real-time collaborative information. The new system is also expected to lead to more efficient project costing and improved customer service.

ObTech has implemented SAP solutions for various customers in the Asia Pacific region. ObTech is especially experienced in working with companies inHi-Tech and Manufacturing, Engineering, Wholesale and Distribution, Industrial Machinery & Components, and Consumer Products and Goods industries. As a regional company, ObTech is well equipped to help customers rollout their SAP implementation to their overseas subsidiaries or affiliates. This is crucial as ObTech needs to ensure that customers are able to standardize their global business processes on a common platform and benefit from more cost-efficient support and maintenance.

Raymond Chu, country manager of ObTech Philippines, noted that through ObTech’s global resource exposure, his company is able to deploy experienced consultants who are familiar with the industry any particular customer is in. Furthermore, with SAP-certified solution templates and proven implementation methodology developed by ObTech, it is able to allow companies to have faster return on investment and operate more effectively and efficiently.

Michael Lim, ObTech Asia Pacific Pte Ltd group chief operating officer, said customers will get all-out support for their applications. He added that customers are assured of quality support and services when working with ObTech, it being a subsidiary of Japanese technology giant NEC.

Subic Water earns flak from dads

By FRANCO G. REGALA - MANILA BULLETIN

OLONGAPO CITY- The local water distributor here is facing mounting criticisms for alleged unnecessary road diggings and discharging chemical wastes in the city’s drainage canals and rivers.

The Kapisanan ng Aktibong Mamamayan ng Olongapo (KAMAO) put the Subic Water Sewerage Company Inc. (SWSCI) to task for the diggings in the city’s main avenue which are causing inconvenience to commuters and pedestrians.

According to KAMAO president Ferdinand Delos Santos, the water utility firm should give priority to expanding its coverage to areas in Olongapo which until now do not enjoy water service instead of digging for pipes that do not need upgrading.

He cited Subic Water’s agreement with the city government wherein the former pledged to expand its service coverage to highland barangays.

“It’s been 11 years since Subic Water took over the water supply from Olongapo Water District yet the promised expansion has not happened. Olongapo is a highly urbanized city yet it is ironic that it has areas which do not have water connection. To think that the water utility firm always cites expansion projects,” Delos Santos said.

Delos Santos warned that his group and other socio-civic organizations in the city will oppose any future plan by SWSCI to increase its water rates unless the concerns of local consumers are addressed.

Meanwhile, the City Council took the SWSCI to task over alleged unabated dumping of “chemical sludge” into the city’s rivers as it seeks a reevaluation of the water company’s Environmental Compliance Certificate issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

In a resolution, the councilors also asked the National Water Resources Board “to direct SWSCI to implement applicable measures to arrest the growing environmental and health hazards.”

This, after residents of barangays Sta. Rita and Gordon Heights complained of “unbearable noise” coming from the SWSCI pumping station as well as the “obnoxious fumes from the mental Management Bureau has likewise found that Subic Water is operating without a Discharge Permit.

PUBLIC HEARING ON USE OF MABAYUAN RIVER AS A WATER SOURCE

A public hearing was held to take up the issue on Subic Water’s plan to make Mabayuan River a water source. It was the second hearing held regarding the issue.

City Councilor JC G. de los Reyes led the public hearing which was also attended by Councilor Ellen Dabu, City Attorney Angelito Orozco, concerned citizens and representatives from the barangays who will be affected by the amendment of the permit that will allow Subic Water to tap Mabayuan River.

One of the issues discussed in the public hearing was whether the water of Mabayuan River is safe for human use and consumption.

According to Orozco, they will submit a petition opposing the proposed amendment of Subic Water’s permit. Concrete facts and evidence are currently being collated to support the petition, he said.

It can be recalled that Councilor de los Reyes has already raised the issue to Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. He also said that whether or not Subic Water already has an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) is another matter to look into.

City Councilors JC G. de los Reyes and Ellen Dabu, City Attorney Angelito Orozco and concerned citizens during the public hearing held on July 29, 2008 at the Session Hall of the Olongapo City Hall. Opinions of the concerned citizens were discussed regarding the proposed amendment of the permit of Subic Water that will allow it to use Mabayuan River as a water source.

PAO/Don