Strategic business planning head Macky de Lima and EVP Rey Villar (3rd and 4th from left) with Cebu recruitment officer Hana Acobo, water infrastructure technical coordinator Karen Isaguirre and treasury head Ruth Co at the First Balfour boothFirst Balfour joined the biggest gathering in the Philippine water industry, the 43rd Philippine Association of Water Districts Convention, held in Cebu City and hosted by the Metropolitan Cebu Water District.

As one of its strategies to make itself known in the local water industry, First Balfour set up an exhibit where it showcased its construction and engineering capabilities in the water infrastructure sector.

Chief financial officer Jonathan Tansengco, who leads the development of this new business, said: “In the water space, we are hoping to bring relevant technology used and experience gained in major urban centers to other water districts around the country. The end goal is to help them uplift the level of service they provide their existing customers and, more importantly, reach communities that do not yet have access to clean water.”

Head of strategic business planning Macky de Lima was part of the convention’s learning summit. Among the key topics he highlighted were the company’s experience in the Novaliches-Balara Aqueduct 4 project—where a tunnel boring machine was used in an urban setting for the first time in the Philippines—and the ongoing 50MLD East Bay Water Treatment Plant project being built in joint venture with Spanish company Tedagua.

T1 Rentals and T1 Transport, First Balfour’s equipment rental and transport businesses, similarly joined the Philconstruct Luzon 2022 construction show and trade expo. Organized by Philippine Constructors Association and held in Clark, Pampanga, First Balfour’s allied businesses promoted their services to the growing industrial sector in the area and introduced their presence in North Luzon with a T1 Rentals equipment yard in Clark Global City opening soon.

T1 Transport also showcased its sustainable people transport services with its electric vehicles which served as the event’s official shuttle services for expo guests to and from the outdoor display area. (Story/Photos by: Dolly Pasia-Ramos)