Pilipinas Water seeks settlement with Carmen

CEBU, Philippines - Pilipinas Water Resources Inc. (PWRI) announced that it is not pulling out its water supply project in Carmen, Bohol, as earlier announced by its partner Aqua Pure Water Resources Inc., instead it will try to negotiate with the local government executives to forge an amicable settlement for the continuation of the project.

In an interview with The Freeman yesterday (PWRI) president William Mazerin said that although there are some glitches and issues the project is facing recently, the company is willing to work closely with Carmen town Mayor Conchita Toribio de los Reyes.

PWRI, together with affiliate company Aqua Pure Water Resources Inc. inked a deal with the previous Carmen town officials for a P20 million water distribution project in the Chocolate Hills town in Bohol in 2009.

However, in March of 2010 PWRI turned over the total operation to Aqua Pure. According to Mazerin, now that the local government in Carmen, is still recognizing PWRI as the main operator of the project, Mazerin said the company is going to negotiate for the continuation of the operation.

The project, which had been supplying bulk water and distribution service to the residents of Carmen, provides a total of 500 cubic meters a day. The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed by PWRI, Aqua Pure and the previous LGU

Mazerin, corrected the earlier statement released by Aqua Pure chairman Antonio Tompar that the project will be pulled out by the two companies.

“It’s not our attitude to easily pull out a project/contract. Definitely, we are not pulling out with our Carmen operation,” Mazerin said.

Since Aqua Pure announced to stop their operation, which PWRI turned over in March of 2010, Mazerin said his company will be the one to negotiate with de los Reyes on this matter.

PWRI has several partnerships with LGUs across the country in providing bulk water supply especially in the areas where water is one of the primary problems.

Both PWRI and Aqua Pure have inter-locking board of directors. According to Mazerin PWRI board of directors will soon convene to arrive at good negotiation offer the Carmen municipality.

The joint venture between the two Cebu-based companies in Carmen Bohol, incurred a P20 million investment in the installation of water solution technology that provides treated water supply to Carmen residents at a capacity of 500 cubic meters a day.

PWRI is a Lhuillier-led water bulk provider, which LGU partnerships have expanded all over the country.

Aqua Pure on the other hand, is one of Cebu’s pioneering companies introduced the water purifier technology and distribution. (FREEMAN)