Maynilad improves water availability under MPIC, DMCI

MANILA, Philippines - Maynilad, the once ailing private water concessionaire, now delivers 24-hour water supply to nearly 60 percent of its customer. Prior to the takeover of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) and DMCI Holdings Inc. in 2007, only 32 percent of Maynilad customers had 24-hour service.

This major improvement was made possible through the completion of several service improvement projects under Maynilad’s five-year capital expenditure (Capex) program worth P36.8 billion. In its first two years under its new owners, the company spent about P13 billion to replace old pipes and rehabilitate water facilities in its concession area.

More than 15 kilometers of primary lines were energized to improve water supply and pressure. Unutilized MWSS pumping stations and reservoirs, such as the Tondo, Algeciras, Caloocan and D. Tuazon pumping stations were also rehabilitated and reactivated to address the water scheduling issues in certain parts of the West Zone. Maynilad also intensified its water loss management programs to deliver the recovered water to the areas that needed additional supply.

As a result of these investment, more communities now only 24-hour water supply availability, such as GSIS Village in Quezon City, Villar Lourdes Subdivision in Parañaque, Camella Homes in Muntinlupa and Corona Subdivision in Kawit, Cavite.

With more Maynilad customers enoyiing round-the-clock water service, only seven percent of the approximately 768,00 Maynilad households now have less than 12 hours supply. These underserved areas are mostly in elevated areas in the North like North Caloocan, Valenzuela and Fairview, and areas in the South that are far from the Angat Dam supply source, such as Parañaque, Las Piñas and Cavite.

“We are fortunate to have shareholders who have the technical capacity and financial resources to accelerate service improvements in the West Zone. Under MPIC and DMCI, Maynilad customers can expect even more positive changes in their water and sewerage services,” Maynilad president Rogelio Singson said.