MWSS to discuss PH water security; PPP success in Korea global confab

Top leaders of Metro Manila's water supply system will discuss in Korea’s two major water conferences next week the 10-year water security program under the Duterte administration and the successful Private-Public Partnership (PPP) among Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), Manila Water, Maynilad and Bulacan Bulk Water's Luzon Clean Water Corporation.

MWSS Administrator and Asia Water Council (AWC) Director Reynaldo V. Velasco will serve as one of the resource speakers of the 1st Asia International Water Week (AIWW) and the World Water Cities Forum in Gyeongju, Korea from September 19 to 23. Aside from Velasco, Manila Water President Ferdinand M. de la Cruz and Maynilad President Ramoncito Fernandez will also serve as resource speakers who will deliver their separate presentations on Drinking Water and Sanitation at the AWC Water Project Forum.

“The Korea water conference is an important event to further promote the country’s effective, participative and successful PPP legal framework started in 1997 by President Fidel V. Ramos through a Concession Agreement in the water industry that the Philippines through Manila Water is now exporting to ASEAN countries like Myanmar, Vietnam and Indonesia,” said Velasco.

Aside from sharing his insights on water privatization and the important roles of concessionaires in the overall water supply and sewage system in Metro Manila, Velasco will present an MWSS institutional Video Documentary to highlight water security and successful PPP in the Philippines.

On water security, the MWSS chief said the Duterte administration is focused on four main areas to fortify water security: Interim and long-term water source projects to approximate at least 4,000 million liters per day (MLD) in the next 10 years; disaster management especially with the possible occurrence of the Big One (8.2 earthquake) and anti-terrorist and saboteur measures on major water installations and facilities; sustained environmental program through the MWSS Annual Million Tree Challenge for sustainable watershed management; and, developing and improving wastewater system and sanitation.

According to Velasco, MWSS together with its concessionaires – Manila Water, Maynilad, and Luzon Clean Water – are pursuing sustainable water source projects to insure water security.

“Right now, we have Angat and Ipo dam as our main source for the 2,400 million liters per day for Maynilad and 1,600 for Manila Water. So we really need to have new water sources to insure water security in Metro Manila. There is no such thing as over supply of water and that’s precisely why we are fast-tr racking the long overdue Kaliwa dam project that will provide additional 600 mld, Laguna Lake with 650 mld, Laiban Dam at 1,800 mld, and Sumag at 185 mld,” Velasco said.

Organized by AWC led by K-Water President Lee Hak Soo, the AIWW is a triennial water gathering for multi-stakeholders to seek tangible implementation for resolving Asian water problems and a forum for sharing AWC’s professional achievements as well as knowledge sharing with other professionals’ experience and networks.

Velasco is also the country’s official representative to sign the World Water Cities Declaration in the WWCF conference and the Water Declaration to the World in the AWC conference.

The top three water leaders are expected to share their best practices of the 20-year successful Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in the Philippines.

Before the MWSS’ privatization in August 1997, the water service coverage in Metro Manila only accounted for 53% and system water loss was more than ½ due to leakage, unmetered houses, or pilferage from the consumers.

The successful MWSS privatization in August 1997 during the Ramos Administration has brought good results. As of this year, 95% of the service area in Metro Manila to include areas in Cavite, Rizal and Laguna now enjoy ample water supply. Despite their massive capital expenditures for improvements of water supply and wastewater system, both Maynilad and Manila still rank among the cities in Asia and the Philippines with lowest and affordable water rates.

Since he assumed office February this year, Velasco has cited privatization as a major factor in the vastly improved water services in Metro Manila. He described the two concessionaires as “partners in the water service,” citing the need to work closely together in the collective mission to insure water security, strengthen and expand coverage of wastewater treatment plants to help reduce water pollution and protect major water resources.