Malaysian firm eyes PBWRC joint venture

Newly formed Pilipinas Bulk Water Resources Corporation (PBWRC) is currently negotiating with Malaysia-based Ranhill Engineers and Constructors Sdn. Bhd., for a possible business partnership.

PBWRC, led by businessman Michel Lhuillier initially announced to embark on a P3 billion bulk water supply project in Metro Cebu, as the company's flagship project.

Top officials of Ranhill Engineers and Constructors led by its chief executive officer (CEO) Ron Metcalf were here in Cebu recently and paid a courtesy call to Cebu provincial governor Gwen Garcia, said PBWRC legal counsel Judge Romulo Senining

According to Senining, Ranhill expressed interest to take part of the proposed P5 billion Trans-axial Highway in Cebu, in a probable partnership with PBWRC.

Ranhill is a global construction company based in Malaysia, a subsidiary of a Malaysia Public Listed company on the Main Board of the KLSE. The group has over 28 years experience and expertise in the infrastructure, oil gas, and utilities sectors.

The Cebu government has announced its plan to seriously pursue the proposed "trans-axial highway" that would connect the province's northernmost town of Daanbantayan to Santander in the South.

The highway will bisect the cigar-shaped island of Cebu, and all its 47 towns and six cities to be connected to it via feeder roads.

Although, the negotiation is still underway, Senining said the potential partnership of PBWRC and Ranhill would increase PBWRC's capability to venture into bigger projects.

PBWRC is a partnership between the M. Lhuillier Group of Companies and Mactan Rock Industries Inc.

Senining said Ranhill officials are scheduled to be back in Cebu in the coming months to finalize works pertaining to its investment interest in Cebu.

Meanwhile, PBWRC will continue the development of its seven projects that will supply about 260,000 cubic meters a day of water to Cebu.

The company will take advantage of its existing Barangayan Project, which already has in-place infrastructure for using surface water process, that have already earned permits from the respective local government units (LGUs).

It will also establish a medium size DAM in Mananga and Cot-Cot areas that will generate at least 120,000 cubic meters a day.