Water consortium confident of positive growth this year

CEBU, Philippines - Just like other basic need providers, Pilipinas Water Resources Inc. (PWRI) is looking at positive growth this year, as need for water will increase—crisis or no crisis.

PWRI, a consortium of the MLhuillier Group and Mactan Rock Industries Inc., announced its readiness to provide water requirement in the different areas in the Philippines, while ongoing projects are being constructed in Manila and Palawan.

"The water business is still a booming industry even more during the crisis as people look for quality in their investments. Access to clean and safe water becomes all the more necessary," said PWRI president Antonio Tompar in an interview.

"We are eyeing more supply contracts in other areas in the country, aside from Cebu," he added.

In Cebu, the consortium will be expanding its services to at least 10 barangays in Mandaue City by the end of this year.

The company presently services the Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines Inc.'s Cebu plant, Cebu Port Authority, and several shipping companies here.

He bared that PWRI is targeting to intensify its bulk water supply program in Manila, Palawan and some areas in Mindanao, through partnerships with local government units.

Established in 2007, PWRI now serves at least 40 resorts and households in Panglao, Bohol, Jasaan and Tagoloan towns in Misamis Oriental, and the mining town of Bataraza in Palawan.

Tompar expressed confidence the company will be able to put up more of its water system in the country after the approval of its loan with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).

Tompar's optimism is further intensified when PWRI was awarded last December of an ISO 9001 (International Organization for Standardization) for Quality Policy Management and ISO 14001 for Environmental Management System.

"It reassures and reminds current and potential clients of the company's mandate to provide quality, reliable and environment-friendly water supply," he said.

PWRI recently closed a P26-million project in Palawan, which includes installation of pipes. It's the first barangay water treatment plant in the province. The system is a 20-year cooperation project between PWRI and the Municipality of Bataraza to serve more than 5000 households in the town.

Tompar said PWRI is allocating P50 million this year to serve the water needs of more than 10 barangays in Mandaue City and Cebu City. The company will also focus on supplying bulk water using surface water to water districts in the country.