With a regulatory framework that is clear, transparent and consistent, Public-Private Partnership in water projects has worked in Metro Manila and other parts of the Philippines.
Thus spoke Ferdinand M. Dela Cruz, president of Manila Water who added that PPP “can work in many more places in Asia and Manila Water is a testimony that Asians can solve Asian water issues. “
Dela Cruz, among the resource speakers at the 1st Asia International Water Week held recently in Gyeongju, Korea, affirmed his company’s commitment to push the Asian water agenda to ensure sustainable urban growth and development in tandem with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).
Dela Cruz said that Manila Water’s participation in the Asian water conference was through the auspices of MWSS even as he strongly supported the priority program and projects of MWSS Administrator Reynaldo Velasco to ensure Water Security for Metro Manìla by building new and large water sources.
“Together with MWSS, we just celebrated in August 2017 our 20 years of successful public-private partnership, now a water PPP model that was able to turnaround a water crisis situation in the mid-90’s to the current excellent service of world class standards which is highly recognized in the global water industry,” said the Manila Water president.
For his part, Velasco cited the working Concession Model between the government and the private sector that was to provide access to affordable potable water and sanitation for the urban poor.
“We are fortunate that more than half of the new customers which Manila Water added to its customer base that it inherited from MWSS, or over 1.8 M people, came from the marginalized sector and these customers now enjoy 24/7 piped water and regular sanitation services,” said the MWSS chief.
Apart from serving new customers in the Metro Manila East Zone, Manila Water also improved its operating efficiencies by reducing NRW from 63% to 11% and saving about 700 MLD used to cover more areas.
Dela Cruz said the plan of MWSS to update the Metro Manìla Water Supply Masterplan is critical to underpin the continued economic development of Metro Manila whose GDP accounts for 37% of National output.
Over the last eight years, Manila Water has ventured outside Metro Manìla to replicate the success of the water PPP model in solving urban water issues.
According to Dela Cruz, Manila Water now have operations in several parts of the Philippines.
“We are one of the largest Foreign Direct Investors in Vietnam where we have a number of Water businesses concentrated in the Ho Chi Minh area. We supply almost 50% of Ho Chi Minh’s treated water requirements. We have pilot projects in Bandung and Yangon for NRW reduction. Our talent base now includes Vietnamese and Indonesian engineers who have become well versed with our capability set and service culture,” Dela Cruz said.