MANILA WATER, PARTNER PROPOSE TO UNDERTAKE MAJOR YANGON PROJECT

Manila Water Company Inc. and partner Mitsubishi Corp. are eyeing a large-scale project that would help reduce non-revenue water in Yangon, Myanmar.

Non-revenue water refers to water produced and lost due to leaking pipes and illegal connections or because of inaccurate metering.

In a statement, Manila Water said it was expecting to submit jointly with Mitsubishi a project proposal for the project, following a pilot showcase.

The pilot is said to have reduced non-revenue water levels within the project areas in Yangon from the initial level of 54 percent down to 14 percent after the project period of 16 months.

The mayor of Yangon City, Maung Maung Soe, was in Quezon City earlier this month for a study visit, in line with the completion of the Phase II of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among Yangon City Development Council ( YCDC), Manila Water and Mitsubishi.

YCDC is the administrative body responsible for water management, infrastructure, pollution-control, and many others in Yangon.

In 2014, Manila Water signed with YCDC a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the development of a proposed project that would reduce system loss in the city of Yangon.

Back then, the company said its engagement with YCDC was part of its intention to pursue projects outside the east zone (concession in the Greater Manila Area) and other selected markets in the Asian region.

In 2013, Manila Water announced the closing of a deal to acquire a 31.47-percent interest in an infrastructure company based in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

Before that, the company said its Singapore-based subsidiary, Manila Water South Asia Holdings Pte. Ltd. (MWSAH) had completed the acquisition of 18.37 million shares in Sai Gon Water Infrastructure Corp.

Manila Water is a subsidiary of the country’s oldest conglomerate, Ayala Corp., in partnership with British and Japanese investors.