Manila Water, Maynilad may tie up for P11-billion water project

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Water Services Inc. and Maynilad Water Services Inc. are exploring a possible partnership to develop the Bulacan Bulk Water Supply (BBWS) project, estimated to cost around P11 billion.

Sources privy to the talks said Maynilad had been invited by the Metropolitan Waterworks & Sewerage System Inc. to join Manila Water in developing the BBWS, which will extend water service to Bulacan.

In December 2007, Manila Water signed an agreement with the MWSS to undertake the project which forms part of a water supply master plan aimed at providing clean and ready-to-drink water to households in Bulacan.

Should an agreement be reached, the project is expected to be a 50-50 joint venture, Consunji said.

The project will be developed in three phases with the first phase expected to cover eight towns and two cities,namely Bocaue, Balagtas, Bulakan, Marilao, Sta. Maria, Guiguinto, Pandi, Obando, City of Malolos and City of Meycauayan. The first phase is expected to be completed by 2010.

The second phase, on the other hand, will cover another five towns and is slated for completion in 2012 while the third phase will last until 2017.

The project involves using huge pipes to transport water from the Angat-Ipo Dam to a treatment plant. Once the water is filtered and sanitized, it will be stored in a reservoir before distributed to respective water districts.

The Angat River in Bulacan has been the source of water supply for Metro Manila and it is only now that residents can directly benefit from resource. With the signing of the MOA, financial assistance will also be provided via an infrastructure fund, annual development assistance and annual fee for use of water rights.

The project’s implementation is vital due to Bulacan’s dwindling water supply and water quality.

Manila Water is the water concessionaire in the East Zone, which is home to some five million residents in Makati, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Marikina, most parts of Quezon City, some parts of Manila, and the municipalities of San Juan, Taguig, and Pateros. It also covers cities and municipalities in the Rizal province further east of Metro Manila.