Another firm reacts vs DCWD tieup with MWIC

CEBU, Philippines — The entry of MWIC as the chosen partner of DCWD was also questioned in the City Council, when another private company appeared and presented to the City Council proofs that they were the first proponents to supply bulk water to the water district.

Ryan Yapkianwee of Tubig Pilipinas Group Inc., and Jalil Madueno of Manila Water Company Inc. attended the City Council session on Wednesday, and said their companies were in Dumaguete since 2014 to explore the possibility of a water bulk contract with DCWD, but it did not materialize.

Under the proposal, like what they did in Bacolod, the cost to produce water is P12 per cubic meter, but Tubig Pilipinas and Manila Water will supply water to DCWD at P8.25 rate, which is cheaper and lower than production costs.

The original proposal from the two firms was to get water from Banica River, but DCWD did not take it because it has a contract with another company back then. This time, the two said they are still interested in supplying water in bulk to DCWD to benefit the more than 31,000 concessionaires.

Yapkianwee disclosed that early last year they had talks with the DCWD general manager who in turn told them that the water district is open to their proposal. They came back in July 3, and was promised it will be taken up during their board meeting on July 10, but it did not happen. The next promise was for the next BOD meeting (3rd week of August), but still without results.

Tubig Pilipinas and Manila Water later found out however that DCWD had already accepted the proposal of MWIC, complete with a board resolution and a certification. “We were shocked because we thought we are supposed to be the first proponent,” said Yapkianwee and Madueno. (FREEMAN)