In 2021, at the height of pandemic restrictions that limited mobility and access, the Puerto Princesa City Water District (PPCWD) took a bold step toward digital transformation. Under the leadership of then newly appointed General Manager Walter J. Laurel, the agency began reimagining how technology could be used not just to improve its internal operations, but to better serve the public. This resulted to a digitalization journey rooted in innovation, inclusivity, and efficient service.
GM Laurel envisioned an agency that embraces digitalization and modern technology to better serve its growing number of consumers. As such, one of his first initiatives upon his assumption of office was the strengthening and making use of the PPCWD Management Information Systems Section. From this initiative, ABACUS was born.
ABACUS or the Advanced Billing and Collection Utility System is PPCWD’s billing and collection software. It was developed in-house originally intended to streamline PPCWD’s billing process but in time, it has evolved into a well-integrated system that now combines GIS-based mapping, customer service management, and digital notifications. It began as a solution to address internal challenges but quickly grew into the backbone of what is now the agency’s digital ecosystem.
ABACUS automates processes beginning from data entry to a secure data exchange with consumers, all in full compliance with utility rules and regulations. Launched in February 2023, ABACUS is now a key component of the PPCWD Mobile App, enabling consumers to track their account status, view current bills, and monitor due dates at their fingertips. As of this writing, the mobile app has been downloaded more than 5,000 times. Likewise, in 2022, PPCWD introduced its e-Bill Notification System, which allows customers to receive monthly billing statements through their registered email addresses. This system paved the way for a total paperless billing which officially launched in April 2025.
The digitalization efforts of PPCWD extends beyond the needs of the consumer. The MIS Section also developed internal systems to improve the agency’s operational and administrative processes such as human resources, inventory tracking, and fuel management. It is worth mentioning that these tools have significantly improved service delivery, response time, and unit to unit coordination particularly during urgent maintenance operations.
But perhaps the most remarkable aspect of PPCWD’s digital transformation is its commitment to share its progress with others. In the spirit of inclusive growth, the Migration to Automated Billing and Collection System (MACS) workshop was launched in 2023. This initiative supports smaller and developing water districts in their own digital transition by providing the ABACUS software free of charge.
Spearheaded by MIS Design Specialist Mr. Hadrian B. Villarosa, the MACS workshop introduced ABACUS to ten participating water districts from Southern Tagalog and Palawan, including Calamba, General Emilio Aguinaldo, Maragondon, Calauag, Pakil, Mabitac, Mendez, Infanta Quezon, and Roxas Palawan. These collaborative efforts reflect the water districts’ belief in shared progress. It is a response to the national call for stronger water services across the country. Migration to the automated billing and collection system has been successfully deployed to Roxas WD, Brookes Point Rural Waterworks and Sanitation Association, Quezon Metropolitan Water District, and Calauag Water District. While ongoing, and targeted for deployment this 2025 are the Polilio Water District and Mabitac Water District.
Apart from the workshop, a list of water districts has visited PPCWD to benchmark our best practices in operations, financial aspects, and the in-house developed software systems. This led to exploring their options to adapt and upgrade their current systems. Notable water districts visited PPCWD for digitalization benchmarking, including the San Juan WD, Quezon Metropolitan WD, Metro Tuguegarao WD, Dipolog City WD, Sanchez Mira WD, Amulung WD, Nagulian WD, and Vigan WD.
The digitalization journey continues, but its direction remains clear: it is to build a smarter and more efficient responsive water utility agencies that not only adapts to change, but helps others rise with it.
