Lhuillier-led water venture readies proposal to MCWD

As soon as the Metropolitan Water District (MCWD) will offer its bulk water source to "open bid" and "open source" policy, the Lhuillier-led Pilipinas Bulk Water Resources is ready to tender its 260 cubic-meter a day water supply bid.

In a press conference yesterday, Pilipinas Bulk Water Corporation legal counsel Judge Romulo Senining said the company is ready to capitalize on the proposed P3 billion water project in Cebu, as soon as MCWD will give its go signal.

Senining made the announcement following a report that MCWD board has decided to scrap the P200 million development fee asked by the Ayala Water Consortium, if ever other water company will win the bid.

Last week, MCWD general manager Armando Paredes Jr. announced that MWCD will be forced to drop the proposal of Ayala-Stateland Consortium to develop a water source in Carmen once the issue over the payment of P200 million development cost remains unresolved.

Paredes was quoted saying he is not optimistic that negotiation between Ayala would push through because the project proponent is not inclined to drop the project development cost, which it seeks to be paid once it losses the bid.

According to Senining, the company is too serious in its water business, which is a new venture of businessman Michel Lhuillier in partnership with Mactan Rock Industries Inc.

"We can supply to MCWD the entire 260,000 cubic meters a day in less than two years," Senining said.

However, he said the company is still waiting for the official announcement of MCWD pending the decision of Ayala Consortium whether it will pursue its Carmen bulk water supply project, or fight the request of P200 million development fee to be paid by the winning bidder.

Senining vowed that if his company will be given opportunity to supply the immediate need of water for Cebu, consumers will be given cheaper rate, after all, the company is owned also by Cebuanos.

In an earlier interview with Michel he said his company will fight to offer the Cebuanos affordable cost of water that they deserve.

Lhuillier, whose core business is into pawnshop and money transfer operations, said he is alarmed of the dooming water problem in Cebu, and the entry of huge water companies that are trying to take advantage of the problem.

He said he can not allow non-Cebuano companies to operate here, punishing Cebuanos with expensive water rates, while it can be offered at lower price, "They can not do this to Cebuanos," he emphasized.

Senining said the company will take advantage of the in place "Patubig sa Barangay" project started initially by Mactan Rock, but now being absorbed by the Pilipinas Bulk Water for management.

Metro Cebu’s total water demand is estimated at 250,000 cubic meters to 300,000 cubic meters a day. Currently, MCWD is only supplying 50 percent of this demand the rest is supplied by private deep well operators.