Gov’t to bid out 2 water projects this yr

MANILA, Philippines - The government is set to bid out two major water projects worth $960 million under the public private partnership (PPP) program within the month after several companies attended a market sounding forum organized by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).

PPP Center executive director Cosette Canilao said the projects that were presented during the Water Infrastructure Forum dubbed as Invest Water PH attracted more than 200 participants from the private sector.

The PPP projects under the Build Operate Transfer (BOT) law include the $416.1 million New Centennial Water Source - Kaliwa Dam Project (NCWSP) as well as the $542.22 million Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project (BBWSP).

The NCWSP intends to augment the supply of raw water and reducing dependence on Angat Dam helping ensure water security in Metro Manila and adjoining provinces.

The project involves the construction of 600 million liters per day (MLD) dam, 2,400 MLD water conveyance tunnel, access roads, bridges, and drainage to be used in the building of the dam.

On the other hand, the BBWSP intends to supply treated bulk water to water districts in Bulacan province through the construction, operation, and maintenance of facilities for abstraction, treatment, and conveyance of treated bulk water supply; land acquisition and right-of-way access as well as social, resettlement, and environmental facilities cost.

Under the project, water districts may be clustered based on the most efficient technical design considering geographical location, terrain, demand, and availability of supply.

MWSS would make available 5.5 cubic meters per second (CMS) from its water rights in Angat Reservoir for the project.

 â€œWe hope to bid these out in the coming weeks,” Canilao said.

Canilao explained that water security remains one of the government’s priorities.

However, practitioners recognize that water infrastructure projects including piped water networks are capital extensive and require sector expertise to provide excellent services to the clients.