MWSS chief cites Maynilad service record

Stressing that providing sustainable water and efficient services to over nine million customers in the West Zone of Metro Manila is a shared responsibility and partnership among stakeholders, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco lauded Maynilad for its turnaround after 10 years of reprivatization in 2007.

Citing a report from Maynilad President Ramoncito S. Fernandez at the recent 1st Korea Water International Water Week where Velasco shared equal billing with two concessionaires along with Manila Water President Ferdinand M. de la Cruz, the MWSS chief said the overall efforts of service and efficiency levels of Maynilad have dramatically improved.

"Our customer base grew by 94% from about 678,000 in 2006 to over 1.3 million in 2016, covering 94% of our service area.

From 32%, our customers with 24hour water supply increased to 98%. Those who receive their supply at an average pressure of 7 psi also increased from 45% to 100%. We have also brought down our average NRW level from 68% in 2006 to 29.9% by the end of last year," Fernandez said in a well applauded speech at the Korea conference.

Fernandez said managing the West concession in Metro Manila has been a challenge, notably from 1997 to 2006 when Maynilad was in bad shape that its previous private owners could not sustain operations when it suffered huge losses following the 1998 Asian financial crisis.

So when the concession was re-privatized in 2007, the new Maynilad owners faced the seemingly impossible task of reviving a financially crippled company.

"That was 10 years ago. Since then, Maynilad was able to swiftly get out of rehabilitation and implement a massive CAPEX Program of R65.2-billion or approximately $1.5-billion at historical exchange rates," noted Fernandez.

The Maynilad chief said that what helped the miraculous turnaround was the water firm's continued faith on the MWSS Public-Private Partnership (PPP), despite the failure of its initial privatization as well as the dedicated men and women of Maynilad who persisted through our turbulent corporate history and proved their strong dedication to public service.

Fernandez said that Maynilad its setting its sights to expanding to other areas of the Philippines as there are currently abou 15 million Filipinos who are still without water access.

"We want to replicate our success in other areas so that more people can enjoy improved water supply and sanitation," he added. Fernandez stressed that the partnership with the MWSS has benefitted millions of Filipinos.

"Our services have spurred economic activity, while our investments have generated thousands of jobs. More than a business, we see Maynilad as a vehicle for nation-building. Because by partnering with government, we can use our resources to uplift the lives of our countrymen," he concluded.