TWD: Getting Bigger and Better!

By: Ailene Ponio

The massive increase of service connections, good financial standing and the
determination to improve their services are the few tools possessed by the district as it
takes a big leap and re-categorize itself to LWD-MaCRO Category B.

In September 1997, local water districts were classified into six (6) categories, namely:
SMALL, AVERAGE, MEDIUM, BIG, LARGE and VERY LARGE using the Local Water District
Manual on Categorization/Re-Categorization. The said Manual provided a general
framework in determining various matters for every category of water district. The
categorization of LWDs took into consideration the resources owned and managed by
each LWD, further, the criteria also includes the size of these resources, the financial
capability of the district in terms of satisfying operating requirements, the revenue
generation and the scope/complexity of its operations.

However, through the passage of time, these guidelines proved to be somewhat

obsolete and can no longer suffice the needs of the present times. With this, through
the DBM Circular Letter No. 2011-10 dated November 18, 2011 signed by Sec. Florencio
B. Abad, the revisions took place in order for these guidelines to be more reflective of
the service objective of expanding the reach of LWDs to their constituents while
maintaining operational and financial viability. Hence, the Local Water District – Manual
on Categorization, Re-Categorization and Other Related Matters (LWD-MaCRO)
changed the number of categories from six (6) to four (4) namely: A, B, C & D.

As such, Tagum Water District has been re-classified into Category B based on its active
service connections of more than 20,000 and other factors such as the stability of its’
physical and financial assets. Moreover, the Staff Productivity Index of the district was
also considered. TWD was given a Category B certificate by the LWUA through CCC
No.175 on March 21, 2012 and was recognized as Category B Water District on the
same month. The new Organizational Structure of Tagum Water District is as shown
below:
---------------------------------INSERT ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE HERE----------------------------------

This re-categorization resulted to the renaming of some divisions and position titles. The
changes are as follows:

I. OFFICE – Division and Department

OFFICE OF THE GENERAL MANAGER

Management Services Division – former Internal Audit Division

ADMINISTRATIVE AND HUMAN RESOURCE DEPARTMENT

(former Administrative & Finance Department)

Human Resource Division – former Personnel & Gen. Services Division

General Services Division – newly created

FINANCE SERVICES DEPARTMENT (newly created)

Accounting Division – former Financial Services Division
Cash Management Division – former Cash & Property Division

COMMERCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (former Commercial Department)

Customer Accounts Division – former billing & Disconnection Division

ENGINEERING and OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT (former Operations & Engineering)

Water Resources Division – former Production Division
Construction and Maintenance Division – former separate Divisions
Construction Division
Maintenance Division
Planning & Design Division – newly created
II. POSITION TITLES – Upgraded and Re-allocated

From To
General Manager C General Manager B
Department Manager C Department Manager B
Division Manager C Division Manager B
Administrative Services Chief C Administrative/General Services Chief C
Sr. Customer Service Officer Sr. Utilities/Customer Service Officer
Customer Service Officer B Utilities/Customer Service Officer B
Customer Service Assistant A Utilities/Customer Service Assistant A
Water Maintenance Man A Water/Sewerage Maintenance Man A
Water Maintenance Man B Water/Sewerage Maintenance Man B

However, the district was given a 3-year transitory period to implement the changes
accordingly. As of the moment, there is a leaner implementation of the said
organizational structure. Its full scale adaptation and implementation will gradually
occur in the coming years.

Being qualified to a higher category entails a big responsibility for the district. However,
the management firmly believes that this shall not be a hindrance in putting their goals
of providing better and quality services into action. This re-categorization clearly signals
the beginning of a brighter and more abundant future for the district and its’
concessionaires.