Tuesday, February 10, 2009 [ manilatimes.net ]
Manila Water Co., Inc. said it has inked a deal with the provincial government of Cebu for the supply of water to the province.
In a statement, Manila Water said that the utility, through its subsidiary Northern Waterworks and Rivers of Cebu Inc. (NWRC), has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Cebu provincial government for the possible supply of bulk water.
Manila Water is the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System’s concessionaire for the east zone of Metro Manila and its outlying provinces.
On the other hand, NWRC is a consortium composed of Manila Water, real-estate developer Stateland Inc., and the Gaisano-owned Vicsal Inc.
Under the agreement, NWRC will look into the possibility of supplying bulk water to the province from its source in the Luyang River in Carmen town.
Cebu governor Gwendolyn Garcia said that the agreement will help augment the province’s water supply situation.
“The provincial government has long since realized that concrete actions must be taken to address the water supply problem in the province. This is in line with our thrust to further improve the quality of life of our constituents as well as help the province maximize its potential as a major tourist and investment destination in the country,” she said.
For his part, Antonino Aquino, Manila Water president and NWRC chairman, said that the agreement will help “provide a solution to the province’s twin challenges of dwindling water supply and deteriorating water quality.”
Manila Water currently serves the water and wastewater needs of the eastern part of Quezon City, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Marikina, Pasig, Pateros, parts of Manila and Makati in the National Capital Region, and Rizal province.
Besides the said areas, the company has expressed interest in expanding its operations elsewhere in the country and abroad.
Last year, the utility received a five-year contract from Saigon Water Corp. for a performance based leakage reduction and management services in Ho Chi Minh City.
The company is also eyeing a 25-year concession to provide water to Boracay Island in Aklan.-- Euan Paulo C. Añonuevo
