spot_img
28 C
Philippines
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Ex-general takes over MWSS

- Advertisement -

THE new administrator of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System,  retired  police general Reynaldo V. Velasco, has pledged  to ensure affordable, clean and safe water for the 20-million consumers in the National Capital Region and nearby provinces  and  to pursue the agency’s flagship projects that will keep water supply flowing.

“Water is life. Our mission is to do our utmost as we work together for the well-being of our consumers in Metro Manila and nearby areas. So let us all push for what is fair and just to our consumers,”  said Velasco, a former PNP Special Action Force commander.

Velasco,  also noted for his managerial capability,   said he will find ways to transform the agency’s many land assets into income-generating ventures or revenue-earners to support development projects and further improve overall services.

“We can dream of building a new parking building that can be a revenue earner and at the same time put sanity to our dysfunctional parking system here at MWSS, ” said Velasco, a decorated 3-star police general.

Newly minted MWSS administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco (right)  takes his oath of office before Public Works Secretary Mark Villar at the DPWH main building in Manila.

Velasco vowed to   pursue other flagship projects, like the Laiban Dam, Kaliwa at Kanan projects that will ensure adequate, steady and sustainable water supply for our consumers in Metro Manila and adjoining provinces in the next 25 to 50 years,” he said.

- Advertisement -

He vowed to respect the concession agreement with its two water concessionaires, Maynilad Water Services Inc. in the west zone and Manila Water Co. Inc. in the east zone, “and, of late, the Bulacan Bulk Water.”

“While we make this assurance of mutual respect for our agreement, it also behooves upon these first two concessionaires to fast tract the implementation of the sewerage treatment plants [STPs], which I learned, has only more than 20-percent implementation rate, way beyond their promise and commitment,” he said.

“For Bulacan Bulk Water, we will ask them to fast track their project so that we can earn additional revenues,” he added.

He promised to be fair and just to the MWSS and not only to its water consumers, but to the entire Filipino people.

Gone are the days of excessive bonuses at the MWSS, he warned. 

“I plan to implement the salary standardization as approved by the government-owned and-controlled corporation and the Department of Budget and Management. This is the only way we can all be accountable to our President and the public that we serve,” he said, speaking before employees and officials last Feb. 20.

“I am sorry to disappoint some of you that the old practices and happy days in yesteryears are no longer with us and are not forthcoming under the Duterte administration which is dead serious in its campaign against graft and corruption,” he added.

He said he will look after the welfare of all MWSS personnel as far as fair and just compensation is concerned.

“I will work for the immediate release of your 2015 productivity boards and I have requested the deputy and administration and finance to expedite your performance bonuses for 2016. You should get in within this year depending how fast we can get the approval of higher authorities. Let us not wait for two years for the release what you truly duly deserve,” he told officials and employees.

 He thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for trusting him to assume a “huge responsibility” as MWSS administrator.

“Of special mention is former President Fidel V. Ramos, my province mate and boss, who served as a co-founder along with former Defense Secretary Renato de Villa of the Special Action Force, myself being the first SAF commander, for vouching for my managerial capacity,” he said.

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

Popular Articles