CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

Introduction

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 3.4 million

people die annually from water-related diseases. About a million Filipinos get sick

with water-borne diseases yearly. And these are diarrhea cases alone. They

don’t include other water-borne disease like amoebiasis, cryptosporidiosis and

cholera. These problems are accredited to the poor water system in the

Philippines. Even in the capital Manila, only about three fourths of the population

receives piped water from the municipal authority. Outside Manila far fewer

people have access to clean water distribution. In both locations, these families

must find alternate water sources if they are to avoid cholera epidemics and

other health problems spawned by the foul, contaminated water available in their

neighborhoods. In the provinces, the scenario is worse. Some people rely on

wells or even on rivers for their supply of water for their daily consumption.1

Amidst this uncertainty, a solution has appeared in the thousands of water

refilling stations that now dot the Philippine landscape. These shops began as

privately-run community sources, where consumers would bring containers and

fill them for a per-gallon fee that is a small fraction of commercially bottled

water’s cost. Demand is high that most stores now offer home delivery for regular
customers. Most shops produce between 3,000 and 12,000 liters of water per

day. Typically, the supply comes from the pipes of municipal concessionaires.

Entrepreneurs invest in treatment equipment and further purify their product

before sale.2

The water that is mechanically filtered or processed to be cleaned for

consumption is purified water. It minimizes the accidental exposure to toxins

because it undergoes several processes that would make the water safe to drink.

Purified water can also help eliminate mineral deposit and can build up cells and

joints and reduce the possibility of painful gallstones. It also decreases stress

load on kidneys and can greatly enhance nutrients efficiently. It also has a

cleaner taste that is good for every day intake.

Based on readings and the known benefits of purified water to the

majority, the researchers proposed the assessment of Purified Water Business in

Old Albay, Legazpi City to provide knowledge and information about the business

profile, operational performance; common problems encountered by the owners

in terms of marketing, management, technical, and financial aspect; and the

business operation initiatives that will enhance the operational performance of

the business. Since the researchers are business students, in the future they

may consider to venture in this kind of business. Hence, the findings can

supplement them necessary knowledge needed to start and operate a Purified

Water Business.
Statement of the Problem

This study aim to analyze and compare the operational performance of

five purified water refilling station located in Old Albay, Legazpi City. It will sought

answer to the following questions:

1.) What is the profile of selected water refilling stations in terms of:

a) Initial Investment

b) Type of Ownership

c) Years of Operation

d) Target Market

e) Estimated Monthly Income

2.) What are the assessments for Operational performance in terms of:

a) Marketing

b) Management

c) Technical and

d) Financial Aspects

3.) What are the common problems encountered by the owners of purified water

business in terms of:

a) Marketing
 b) Management

c) Technical and

d) Financial aspects

4.) What are the business operation initiatives that will enhance the Operational

performance of Purified water business in Old Albay, Legazpi City?

5.) What recommendations may be proposed to enhance the performance of

selected water refilling stations?

Scope and Delimitation

This study is focused on the operational performance. The researchers

will conduct an interview to the 5 selected water refilling station in the vicinity of

Old Albay, Legazpi City. Which state the profile: initial investments, type of

ownership, years of operation, target market, and estimated monthly income.

Furthermore, the assessment of operation performance of each water refilling

stations in terms of: marketing, management, technical, and financial aspects.

Also, the common problems encountered by owners and the business

performance initiatives that helped them enhance the operational performance of

their business.
Significance of the study

This study is deemed beneficial to:

Consumers. Have knowledge and awareness as to what processes does

selected water refilling station make to produce safe drinking water.

Employees. They will be able to identify the various aspects that

promotes financial stability of their business and find bases on how they can

contribute to each identified aspect.

Owners/Managers of selected water refilling station. Employees.

They will be able to identify the various aspects that promotes financial stability

of their company and find bases on how they can contribute to each identified

aspect.

Present and Future Researchers. this research will serve as a related

study which will provide data that may be undertaken in future.

 Notes

1
Slideshare, Feasibility Study (Water Refilling Station)
https://www.slideshare.net/skylarkXoXo21/feasibility-study-40064756 accessed
November 20,2018

2
Wordpress, A Study on Water Refilling station,
https://valdezoboy.wordpress.com/category/drinking-water-business/a-study-on-
water-refilling-station/ accessed November 20,2018