Maynilad spends P20 billion to upgrade facilities

MANILA, Philippines - Maynilad Water Services Inc. (Maynilad) has invested a total of P20 billion over the past three years replacing old pipes, upgrade water facilities and expanding its distribution network in the West Zone.

That more than twice bigger than the P8 billion spent by the previous concessionaires from 1997 to 2006.

Maynilad holds the concession for the West Zone water and sewerage area.

Maynilad president Rogelio L. Singson said they are prepared to plow in more if they are granted a 15-year concession agreement (CA) term extension.

“Maynilad spending can reach P564 billion, which is 274-percent higher than the P206-billion capital investment submitted in our 2008 business plan to the MWSS (Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System),” Singson said in a press statement.

Singson assured West Zone residents that they will not have to pay more for these improvements.

“Future water rate increase may be reduced by as much as 75 percent, because we will have a longer concession period to recover our investments,” the Maynilad president said.

Since 2007, Maynilad hascompleted major projects such as the 800-mm pipeline in Binondo, Manila; the filling up of gaps along the LMAQ-3 pipeline in Sampaloc, Manila; the 1,200-mm extension pipe and 600-mm pipeline along Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City; the MS-01 Gaps and 800-mm pipeline along Sucat Road, Parañaque City; the Noveleta and Cavite City surface water projects; and the construction and upgrading of existing pumping stations and reservoirs.

More than 15 kilometers of primary lines have been energized to improve water pressure in Commonwealth, Quirino and Roosevelt in Quezon City; Valenzuela, Malabon, Navotas, North Caloocan, South Manila, and portions of Pasay, Parañaque and Cavite.

These projects have resulted in improved water service availability and pressure. Of the 760,000 households being served by Maynilad, around 440,000 now receive potable water 24 hours a day while 530,000 households enjoy stronger water supply at seven pounds per square inch (psi) minimum pressure.

Earlier, Maynilad implemented a cashless system for its business area (BA) offices to improve its account management and customer service capabilities.

Its 16 BA offices have stopped accepting payments for monthly bills and miscellaneous charges for water and sewerage service connections.

Under the new cashless system, customers can pay at any of Maynilad’s accredited payment centers or use various payment facilities such as online banking and mobile phone fund transfer.

With hundreds of payment centers scattered throughout the greater Metro Manila area, paying water charges and miscellaneous fees is now made easier and more convenient for Maynilad customers.

Maynilad, a joint venture between Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and DMCI Holdings Inc., started its efforts under a capital expenditure (capex) program worth P36.8 billion.