Pangilinan and Consunji-led Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) will spend approximately P5.86 billion this year to improve and extend its pipe network in Parañaque, Muntinlupa, Las Piñas and Cavite.
Over P3.5 billion will be used to expand its primary lines in Pasay, Parañaque, Muntinlupa and Cavite while P1.6 billion will be used to install pipe lines from Las Pinas to Cavite. Almost P400 million will be used for pipelaying projects in Muntinlupa and over P300 million will be spent for pipe extension projects in Paranaque.
In all, over 450 kilometers of primary and secondary pipelines will be laid, which will improve service levels and serve formerly unreached customers in Maynilad’s concession area.
Once completed, the billion peso projects will benefit over 520,000 residents and generate more than 58,500 jobs. The infrastructure investments will also allow households and establishments in the expansion areas to finally have access to surface water.
“For decades, the people in Paranaque, Muntinlupa, Las Pinas and Cavite have been sourcing their water from deep wells. Finally, we are able to replicate in the South the notable achievements that we were able to do for the Northern part of Manila,†said Maynilad President and CEO Ricky Vargas.
Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) and DMCI Holdings, Inc. (DMCIHI) entered into a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) in 2007. Since then, the partnership has resulted in improved water and wastewater services for those in the West zone.
From 32% in 2007, Maynilad customers who have 24-hour water supply now stands at 79%. Water pressure also increased significantly with 92% of Maynilad customers enjoying at least 7 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure, compared to only 46% four years ago.
Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines in terms of customer base. It is a concessionaire of the MWSS for the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area, which is composed of the cities of Manila (all but portions of San Andres & Sta Ana), Quezon City (west of San Juan River, West Avenue, EDSA, Congressional, Mindanao Avenue, the northern part starting from the Districts of the Holy Spirit & Batasan Hills), Makati (west of South Super Hi-way), Caloocan, Pasay, Paranaque, Las Pinas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon all in Metro Manila; Cavite City, and the towns of Bacoor, Imus, Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario, all in Cavite Province.