Major Community Problem

Perhaps the most striking feature of the responses is the absence of a consensus on community problems. Interviewees cited a range of problems from drug abuse to cold weather. The most frequently cited serious problem (Table 1) concerns drugs, alcohol, substance abuse and associated crime; however, statewide, only one out of four respondents (24.8%) identified problems in this category as the most serious overall problem in their community. The second category of most frequently cited serious problem_noted by 15.2 per cent of respondents statewide_involve concerns related to crime and violence. More specifically, interviewees identified increasing crime and decreasing safety, violent crimes and killings. Economic issues affecting Alaska communities, primarily lack of jobs, unemployment and the general economy, formed the third most frequently cited serious problem area, with about 7.8 per cent of Alaskans noting such concerns as primary. Many Alaskans identified problems associated with the behavior of juveniles, their attitudes and criminality. Still others voiced concerns with what they perceive as a breakdown in family and home life, parental authority, indifference and apathy. Concerns about the quality of education are also prominent across the state, with people commenting on the quality of schools, a lack of funding and the quality of teachers. Aside from the concerns voiced by a fairly large group of people about violence and violent crime, the only other crimes or types of crimes identified as "serious problems" were theft and burglary, and drinking and driving.

Public Safety Concerns

Following the question regarding the most serious community problem, each interviewee was asked to "narrow" his or her focus and identify the most serious public safety issue facing the community. Fewer respondents answered this question than answered the previous question, perhaps because in some instances they had already identified a public safety issue as the most serious problem. (Again, the public safety concerns voiced by respondents were coded into broad categories of like or similar responses. The statewide categorizations are displayed in Table 2.) In assessing the relative importance of some of the concerns expressed, it may be useful to keep in mind that answers to open-format questions reflect "top-of-mind" issues immediately important to the interviewee. The range of specific public safety problems identified was as broad as Alaska is diverse, including concerns about substance abuse, road

conditions, teen pregnancy and winter weather. It is clear, based on the responses, that adult Alaskans are not of one mind on public safety problems. Many of the concerns expressed were unique and so closely tied to a community or a respondent they were mentioned only once. Moreover, none of the problems identified was mentioned by more than 16 per cent of the interviewees. The range of these responses seems to illustrate the importance of a community-by-community approach to public safety problems. "Crime," not further specified, is the third most frequently mentioned public safety concern, at 9.1 per cent. The level of concern about drinking and driving vehicles was striking, as was the level of concern with law enforcement services. Alcohol and drug use and substance abuse were, as in the previous question, the most frequently cited problem, with 15.9 per cent of the interviewees identifying this area as the most serious public safety concern. The second most commonly cited group of public safety concerns were those relating to streets and roadways, with 10.3 per cent identifying a broad range of street and highway-related deficiencies and issues as the most serious problem in their communities.

Suggested Solutions
Respondents were also asked their suggestions for solutions to the problems they identified. The solutions offered are organized in Table 3 by categories of the cited public safety concerns. For example, of the respondents who identified alcohol, drugs and substance abuse as the most pressing problem facing their communities, one-fifth (20.2%) suggested educational efforts to be the most effective solution. As a solution to alcohol and drug problems, "family ties, parental responsibility and involvement" formed the second most frequently offered suggestion. A number of people (7.2%) recommended strengthening laws and making penalties associated with drug and alcohol abuse tougher. Still others (6.5%) suggested legally restricting access to alcohol

and drugs, while others (3.0%) suggested legalizing drugs. About five per cent suggested funding more law enforcement officers in an effort to solve the problems of drug and alcohol abuse in their communities. Concerns about roadway hazards, poor maintenance, sidewalk problems and snow removal were cited as most pressing by 10.3 per cent of respondents. Subsequent suggestions for handling these types of problems included better road maintenance and repair, increased funding and taxing for roadway maintenance, and more snow removal on roadways and sidewalks. Education was the answer most commonly suggested by respondents citing crime as the most serious public safety concern. Solutions to crime also included suggestions that laws be changed to be harsher on criminals and that government fund more police. Only three respondents specifically suggested that a solution to crime was public involvement and awareness. Most commonly, tougher laws and longer sentences were suggested for drinking and driving problems. Other suggestions included more law enforcement related to drinking and driving and education and educational campaigns. For problems with law enforcement services the suggested remedies included calls for more law enforcement officers, more funding for law enforcement, and more and better training for law enforcement officers. Suggestions for how to deal with violence and violent crime, cited as the most serious public safety problem by five per cent, mirrored suggestions for other public safety concerns, with proposals for more law enforcement resources, and newer and tougher laws against violence, but respondents also believe that families and citizens need to become more involved and that education is also a solution.

Conclusion
Based on the information received from this survey, Alaskans have diverse opinions concerning both the nature of the problems facing their communities and the solutions to those problems. The data obtained seem to support community-by-community assessment and prioritizing of problems. MAYNILAD CORPORATE PROFILE
Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) is the water and wastewater services provider for the 17 cities and municipalities that comprise the West Zone of the greater Metro Manila area. In 1997, the company was granted a 25-year exclusive concession by the Philippine Government, through the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), to operate, maintain and invest in the water and sewerage system in Caloocan, Las Pias, Malabon, Manila, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Pasay, Paraaque, Valenzuela, parts of

Quezon City, a part of Makati, Cavite City, and the municipalities of Rosario, Imus, Noveleta, Bacoor, and Kawit in Cavite. Maynilad went through a change of ownership on January 24, 2007, with the consortium of DMCI Holdings, Inc. (DMCI) and Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) winning 84% of the water companys shares in a public bidding.

Vision
We are the leading water solutions company in the Philippines with a strong presence across the East Asia region.

Mission
We provide safe, affordable, and sustainable water solutions that enable those we serve to lead healthier, more comfortable lives

Corporate Values
Honesty and Integrity We deal with our stakeholders with honesty and integrity. We will always do what is right and fair for the sake of our customers, shareholders and the environment Customer Service We consider our customers as our growth partners. Only by providing them with affordable, high-quality water solutions can we continue generating value for our company and shareholders Entrepreneurship We encourage creative thinking and deliberate execution. We expect our people to manage our company's resources with a strong sense of initiative, ownership, and accountability in order to balance the needs of our customers with those of our other stakeholders Commitment to Excellence We view excellence as a means and not an end. To maintain our operational efficiency and industry leadership, we push our people to excel by being diligent and innovative in their work Teamwork We value our people and consider their success as our own. This is why we provide them with the support, responsibilities, and opportunities that will allow them to develop individually and with the company Love for Country We actively partner with the public sector so that we can provide even more Filipinos with water solutions that will spur national development and secure the environment The corporate HISTORY of Maynilad began with the successful privatization of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) in 1997. Before then, MWSS was the government corporation in charge of providing water supply and sewerage disposal services in the greater Metro Manila area. In a highly anticipated bidding that drew the attention of the global water community, the partnership of Benpres Holdings Corporation (Benpres) and Ondeo Water Services, Inc. (formerly Suez Lyonnaise de Eaux) was awarded the exclusive right to run the water and wastewater operations in the West Zone of Metro Manila.

Towards its 10th year, after a string of financial, legal, and regulatory disputes, Maynilad went through a change of ownership, with the consortium of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) and DMCI Holdings, Inc. (DMCI) acquiring 83.96% of the water companys shares. Lyonnaise Asia Water Limited (LAWL) held a 16% share. The MPIC-DMCI consortium took over on January 24, 2007, and immediately worked on the financial and operational rehabilitation of Maynilad. In August of the same year, the consortium signed a prepayment and settlement agreement with Maynilads creditors and MWSS. By January 2008, the new owners of Maynilad had already paid off the companys outstanding debts, which had then reached $240 million. An aggressive catch-up plan was also implemented to increase company revenue, improve water service operations, and drastically cut commercial losses. To herald the sweeping transformation that was about to take place, Maynilad launched its new company logo in November 2008. The new logo reflected the new direction and renewed mission of the companys management team. Positive change has finally come to Maynilad. And soon, the results will be felt in all of West Zone. Truly, sa bagong Maynilad, dumadaloy ang ginhawa.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

At Maynilad, we believe that we are more than a water and wastewater services provider. We are a catalyst for growth and an agent of progress in the communities we serve. Through our poverty alleviation and community development initiatives, we help improve the quality of life of countless people in the West Zone. Below are some of the ways Maynilad helps its low-income and marginalized customers.
Samahang Tubig Maynilad Launched in May 2009 to address the problems of water inaccessibility and irresponsible water use in Maynilads concession area. Under the project, residents of urban poor communities are organized and given training to make sure that they are capable of sustaining the water management programs in their communities. Bayan Tubig First conceived in February 1999, the Bayan Tubig program facilitates the delivery of safe and low-cost water to poor communities in the West Zone, through individual household service connections. The program has benefited 216,000 households since its launching. Bayanihan Bayan Tubig An offshoot of Bayan Tubig is the Bayanihan Bayan Tubig program. True to the spirit of Bayanihan, beneficiaries help themselves and one another by contributing time and physical labor to the program. Under the supervision of Maynilad engineers, the beneficiaries install the pipes that will bring water to their communities. This not only cuts the cost of the pipe installation project, it also fosters a stronger relationship within the community while instilling a sense of ownership of the project among the recipients.

Lingkod Eskuwela Maynilads Lingkod Eskwela project is intended for West Zone public schools that have no access to clean and potable water. It involves the construction of drinking fountains, clean-up of water reservoirs or tanks, and regular sampling of drinking water to check its quality. Under the project, Maynilad also conducts regular desludging of the schools septic tanks to ensure proper sanitation. Participation in PGMAs Serbisyo Muna Caravan and Patubig Program Maynilad is a regular participant in President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyos Serbisyo Muna Caravan, during which customer problems and issues related to West Zone water and sanitation are promptly addressed.