MetroPac Water Investments Corp., a wholly-owned water utility unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., plans to develop 26 potential water infrastructure projects in the Philippine and Southeast Asia.
MPW president Laurence Rogero said in a recent briefing the 26 projects would involve the company in water concession projects, wastewater and bulk water distribution.
It also plans two more international projects after recently venturing into the Vietnam water market with the acquisition of a 45-percent stake in BOO Phu Ninh Water Treatment Plant Joint Stock Company for P615 million.
Rogero said the 26 pipeline projects once finalized would have a potential volume capacity of 3,214 million liters per day and benefit a population of over 19 million.
The projects include bulk water distribution in Iloilo worth P12 billion and bulk water in Pampanga involving development of 200 mld of water. The company in both projects received original proponent status from the respective local government units. They will be subjected to Swiss Challenge.
Rogero said MPW is currently developing the P2.8-billion bulk water of Iloilo City.
“The next step is the distribution. Because of the efforts we have done and results … on the bulk water side, we are now in the position to further expand partnership with 9the) Iloilo water district,” Rogero said.
He said MPC would continue to look for investment opportunities in some 500 water districts across the country.
Rogero, meanwhile, said Southeast Asian countries were welcoming the investments of Philippine water companies following the success of Manila Water Co. Inc. and Maynilad Water Services Inc. in their concession areas
“In Southeast Asia, (the) only successful water privatization is that of the Philippines. So they are welcoming of possible investments of Philippines companies because they also want to see improvement in their networks,” Rogero said.
MPW is operating water projects that collectively provide 150 MLD of water in Cebu, Laguna and Iloilo.
Its latest joint venture finalized in August was with Cagayan de Oro Water District involving the supply of 100 MLD of treated bulk water for distribution.
It also has a joint venture with MacroAsia Corp. for the Maragondon bulk supply project in Cavite.