Maynilad allots P1.7 billion for pipelaying projects

MANILA, Philippines - Maynilad Water Services Inc. plans to continue with its extensive pipelaying projects this year. The company has set aside P1.7 billion to replace old, leaking pipes and lay new ones in various portions of the West Zone. More than 383,500 people or 52,000 households are expected to benefit from these projects.

Nearly one-third of the budget or around P529 million will be spent for pipe replacement and installation in Quirino, Valenzuela, Malabon, North and South Caloocan, Novaliches, and Fairview, while about P1.2 billion will be used for pipelaying projects in Tondo, Pasay, Makati, Parañaque and Muntinlupa.

 “The new owners are investing heavily on the modernization and expansion of our pipe network because this will result in significant service improvements for our customers. Replacing and rehabilitating the old and leaking pipes will also help bring down our system losses,” said Cherubim Ocampo, head of Maynilad’s corporate affairs and public relations department.

Aside from increasing water pressure and extending supply coverage, Maynilad’s pipelaying projects are also expected to generate employment opportunities for more than 17,000 people. Last year, Maynilad was cited by the national government as among the top investment contributors in the country for its water supply and distribution projects.

Since Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and DMCI Holdings, Inc. took over Maynilad in 2007, the water company has laid over 1,400 kilometers of pipes all over the West Zone.

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 concession.