The P350 million project involves the replacement of 52.77 kilometers of old and leaky pipes in Sta. Clara and San Isidro, Pasay. Once completed, the project will result in increased water pressure in these two areas. From 3 pounds per square inch (psi.), water pressure will increase to 7 psi. allowing water to reach a height of up to 16 feet, even without a booster pump. The decommissioning of the deteriorated pipes will also address the water quality problems in the area.
“Maswerte po tayo na maging benepisyaryo nitong napakalaking programang patubig ng Maynilad, at totoo namang di matatawaran ang kapakanibangan ng proyektong ito sa mga mamamayan ng Pasay,” Councilor Onie Bayona said in behalf of Mayor Peewee Trinidad.
Bayona also appealed to his constituents to pay their bills on time and discourage illegal connections, which for years has been the culprit of many water quality issues in the area.
Maynilad decided on the total replacement of the pipe system in Sta. Clara and San Isidro to scour illegal connections and reduce the level of Non-Revenue Water or system loss in the area, which is currently pegged at 65%.
For 42-year-old Prescilla Dulay, who owns a snack and refreshment stand patronized by students of Epifanio delos Santos Elementary School along Tramo, the service improvement project is a much anticipated development in the area. “Dahil nagbebenta ako ng juice at gulaman, laging nandu’n ang duda ng mga tao kung malinis ba ang gamit kong tubig. Pag natapos ang project, siyempre mas mapapalagay na ang loob ng mga bumibili sa ‘kin kasi alam nilang ligtas na ang tubig dahil bago ang mga tubo at nasuyod ang illegal connections,” she said.
The laying of new 75-mm to 300-mm pipes will also replace the service meters of 6,079 existing customers. In addition, Maynilad will be able to serve some 300 new customers and revive 800 deactivated service connections.
“Bukod sa malaking ginhawa ang malakas na tubig, malaki rin ang aming matitipid sa kuryente dahil di na aasa sa motor ang mga residente dito,” said 34-year-old mom Jesette Arenza. “Tsaka kung laging may tubig, kung gusto mong maligo, makakaligo ka. Kung gusto mong maglaba, makakalaba ka.”
Prior to the 2009 CAPEX project, Maynilad had invested a total of P354 million since 2007 to rehabilitate the water system in other portions of Pasay, which benefited around 7,206 families. The service improvement projects enabled Maynilad to provide 24-hour supply to around 30,000 served households in the city.
The pipe-laying activity in Sta. Clara and San Isidro will start this February, with seven contractors working simultaneously on specifically assigned areas to complete the project as early as June 2009.
“Asahan po ninyo ang aming suporta sa pagsasagawa ng proyektong ito, dahil alam namin na para sa aming sariling kabutihan at kalusugan ito. Sana po ay maging simula ito ng ating pagigiging magkatuwang para sa patuloy na pag-unlad ng aming lugar,” Barangay 54 chairwoman Gliceria Caguimbal said to fellow community leaders and officials of Maynilad led by their president Rogelio Singson.
The 2009 CAPEX project in Pasay is part of Maynilad’s five-year CAPEX service improvement program of P36.8 billion. The five-year plan aims to provide 98% of the West Concession with 24-hour supply at minimum pressure of 7 psi. by 2013.