ATM, Automatic Tubig Machine

An OFW Invention for the Masses

Teodoro Bergado was an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) for 10 years. He spent 5 years in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and anoother 5 in the US before returning to the Philippines for good. Even before leaving the country, Bergado admits, “Mahilig akong magbutingting”.

Although lacking several units to complete his engineering course, Bergado nevertheless wanted to help his countrymen. He invented the Automatic Tubig Machine or ATM, a self-service water station where one can get a drink of cold mineral water for as cheap as a peso. What inspired him was the lack of positive stories about OFW entrepreneurs making it big. “Karamihan, puro negative ang naririnig. Ang nangyayari, yung OFW, natatakot na mag-stay dito. Dinevelop ko ito para sa masa. Para may bago tayong technology na kumalat dito sa bansa.”

Bergado initially invested in a water station but found it expensive to maintain. He
recalls, “Since manual, may empleyado. Malakas ‘yung kuryente. May aircon, may ilaw, kasi, may tao. So, para mapababa ko iyong presyo, nag-cut ako sa konsumo.” He explains ATM mineral water goes through a similar 16-step purification and filtration process of a manual water station. But a 5-gallon container retails for 25 pesos versus the usual 40 pesos sold by others. It is the portable model that dispenses one-peso and two-peso cold drinks. ATM’s mineral water is low-priced because there is less overhead. There are less employees needed, reduced electricity, less soap and waste water. Plus, a 24-hour operation for the convenience of customers. ATM water’s assurance of quality comes from monthly tests conducted by local Department of Health representatives. It has garnered several awards from the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Trade and Industry including being heralded as the number one modern safety water machine by the National Shoppers Awards last year.

Bergado says OFWs like him can be motivated by exposure to business articles (like Entrepreneur’s Education and other articles in the OFW Guardian) and programs. “Hanggang sa magkaroon ka ng isip ng pagnenegosyo. Targetin iyong magaan sa ‘yo. Then, mag-focus ng pagre-research. Kamusta na kaya itong industry. Anong feedback? Mabubuhay ba ako dito?” He says one cannot go wrong investing in a necessity even if the market looks saturated enough. “Patuloy na nasisira ang tubig dahil dumadami iyong population. So, kahit marami na ang nagbu-business ng tubig, kailangan pa rin kasi never ng bumalik iyong magandang klaseng tubig.”

Bergado also suggests OFWs can pool their money to minimize the risk. “Pwedeng dalawa muna sila o tatlo. Kasi, madali lang. Kokonti iyong inventory. Hindi katulad ng hardware, grocery, sari-sari. Pag na-prove nila iyong business, saka na lang magtag-iisa.”

At present, Bergado is set to launch two more businesses using the same concept. The first is an automatic carwash where a five peso coin can dispense shampoo or rinsing water that is enough to clean a motorcycle or tricycle. A car would need around 20 pesos, still a lot of cheaper than the usual 80-peso carwash rate.
The second business opportunity is the U WASH coin-operated laundry. Using the same self-service idea, U Wash’s overhead and operations is cost-effective enough that the company can offer a single 5-kilo load for only 40 pesos versus the regular 25-35 pesos per kilo advertised by other laundromats.

Choosing to go back to the Philippines and settle for good was an easy decision for Bergado because he yearned to help his countrymen. He wants to inspire ex-OFWs and small entrepreneurs with the feeling of seeing their money grow. He underscores his advocacy, “Bukod sa sipag at tiyaga, para sa akin, iyong mapagmahal ka sa bansa. Mas maganda iyong hindi lang pagnenegosyo para kumita. Kung hindi, magnegosyo para makatulong. Ipagmalaki mo iyong Filipino. Hindi iyong mas hanga ka sa ibang bansa. Kung uunlad tayo through entrepreneurship, irerespeto tayo.”

by Melissa Casia (kwentong ofw)