MANILA, Philippines - Five years into the aggressive investment program of Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad), customers from Parañaque City rose 196 percent — from only 36,480 accounts at the end of 2007 to 108,112 accounts by the first half of 2012.
Of its current Parañaque customers, 100 percent have 24-hour uninterrupted water supply, up from only 24 percent who enjoyed the same service level at the end of 2007.
The company has more than doubled those who enjoy water pressure of at least seven pounds per square inch (psi) in Parañaque, from only 45 percent to 99 percent during the same period. It takes about seven psi for water to reach the second floor of a building.
Before Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) and DMCI Holdings Inc. (DMCIHI) took over Maynilad in 2007, Parañaque residents had to bear with irregular and expensive water delivery services and private deep wells. Large subdivisions suffered through rotating water supply schedules and typical households spent around P3,000 for a month’s water supply.
Today, Maynilad customers in Parañaque have uninterrupted supply of potable water at an affordable price. Households that consume 30 cu.m. of water a month pay only P830.
“When the MPIC and DMCIHI took over in 2007, the infrastructure we inherited needed a lot of upgrading. Fortunately, the new owners had the resources and commitment to turn the company around. We’re glad that our customers in Parañaque are now enjoying and recognizing the improvements we’ve been making,” said Maynilad president and CEO Ricky P. Vargas. “We will continue our aggressive capital expenditure program to improve service levels in more areas south of Metro Manila.”