Int’l arbitration court orders Maynilad to pay gov’t P6 B in dues

A French-Philippine utility should pay more than P6 billion in dues to the government and must maintain its 25-year concession agreement, an international court has ruled.

Justice Undersecretary Manuel Teehankee said the International Arbitration Court issued the order to Maynilad Water Services after the utility tried to pull out of the concession last year, citing government failure to comply with requirements.

The court order represents "a major victory" for both the government and the state water regulator, Teehankee said in a statement late Saturday.

The ruling requires Maynilad to continue its services within its concession area in cooperation with the state water regulator, the Metropolitan Water and Sewerage Services (MWSS), Teehankee said. — AFP