[ Manila Bulletin Online ] November 25, 2008
Manila Water Co., Inc. continues to pursue its aggressive water service improvement programs with about 100 percent of Metro Manila’s east zone now enjoying a steady supply of potable water.
The remaining area to be covered for a 24-hour supply of clean and safe drinking water is along Taguig City’s border with Muntinlupa City, the farthest point from Manila Water’s water treatment facility in Balara, Quezon City.
"We dare say that we have already attained zero backlog in our central distribution system," Manila Water president Tony Aquino said.
The firm has implemented its key policy of equitable distribution of services irrespective of the customer’s social standing and geographic location. The poor and the well-to-do get the same level of service efficiency, and those living in the uplands also receive the same water pressure and quality as those in the lowlands, added Aquino.
Driven by this policy, Manila Water sought to improve the quality of life especially among the less privileged, and thus launched its Tubig Para sa Barangay (TBSP) program in 1998.
So far, MWC has completed 670 projects benefiting 1.5 million people from the low-income group.
As water coverage in the East Zone has vastly improved, Manila Water has now given more focus to address pollution of major river ways in Metro Manila via an accelerated wastewater master plan which will prioritize the three major river catchments of Pasig, Marikina and San Juan. The ten-year plan to ensure 100% sewer coverage is estimated to be completed in 2018 at a cost of P33 billion.
Aquino revealed that for the next 15 years of its concession, Manila Water has earmarked P187 billion to bankroll its Service Improvement Plan, involving projects designed to enhance the environment through efficient wastewater management and water supply improvement.
When the state-run Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) awarded the east zone concession composed of 23 towns and cities to Manila Water in 1997, only 26 percent of the area with an estimated population of 3 million was receiving reliable water supply.
