MANILA, Philippines 鈥撀燤anila Water Philippine Ventures (MWPV), the Non-East Zone subsidiary of Manila Water Company, emphasizes the significant impact of public-private partnerships (PPP) in enhancing access to water and sanitation services across various provinces in the Philippines.
Speaking at the plenary session of the 7th edition of the WaterPhilippines Conference and Exposition, held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, Melvin John Tan, Manila Water Chief Operating Officer for Non-East Zone, highlighted the crucial role of these partnerships with the government in improving the water situation in regions beyond Metro Manila.
In 2009, MWPV partnered with the Provincial Government of Laguna to improve water and wastewater services through the establishment of Laguna Water. Starting with just 14% of the population having access to piped water supply, Laguna Water has expanded its coverage to 60%, providing 24/7 water supply and increasing water pressure from 7 psi to 25 psi.
The operating unit has also successfully reduced non-revenue water (NRW) in the province from 48% to 24%. In April 2024, Manila Water further expanded its footprint in Laguna with the acquisition of Laguna Aquatech Resources Corporation (LARC), in partnership with the Laguna Water District. In just a few months, water service coverage improved from 45% to 55%, pressure was increased to 5 psi from 2 psi, with 19 hours of water availability versus 15 hours before takeover.
In the Clark Freeport Zone, in partnership with Clark Development Corporation, MWPV鈥檚 operating unit Clark Water has lowered its NRW level to an impressive 6% and nearly doubled the water supply from 27 MLD to 49 MLD to meet the growing demand of the zone. In Boracay Island, Boracay Water has been providing 24/7 potable water to 2.3-M tourists and 30,000 locals through sustainable operations, in partnership with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).
Manila Water has also expanded its partnerships with water districts, collaborating closely to rehabilitate infrastructure and enhance the delivery of water and sanitation services.
In Pangasinan, the Calasiao Water District partnered with MWPV to create Calasiao Water, addressing the long-standing issue of unsafe and unreliable water sources in the municipality. By 2024, water availability is now 24/7 with water pressure of 15 psi and an NRW level of 8%.
Similarly, in Calbayog City, Samar Province, Calbayog Water, a joint venture between Calbayog Water District and Manila Water, has improved water service and quality to 23 hours of water availability with 8 psi water pressure and 100% compliance with government standards on drinking water. NRW has been reduced from 36% to 25%.
The company has also forged strong partnerships with local governments and water districts to establish bulk water supply systems.
In Luzon, the construction of a new water treatment plant in Ilagan City, Isabela, is nearing completion. This project is part of MWPV鈥檚 latest bulk water initiative, developed in partnership with the City of Ilagan Water District.
In Mindanao, the Tagum Bulk Water Supply Project, in collaboration with the Tagum City Water District, is set to secure the city鈥檚 water needs for the long term. This initiative will eventually deliver 38 MLD of treated water. Furthermore, Tagum Water has been recognized with an Energy Efficiency Award by the Department of Energy (DOE), highlighting its dedication to sustainable bulk water supply.
鈥淥ur collaboration with local government units and water districts has been pivotal in ensuring a clean, reliable, and sustainable water supply to meet the growing demand. By leveraging the strengths of both public and private entities, we aim to enhance access, improve quality, and drive innovation, ultimately contributing to better health, economic development, and sustainability,鈥� says Tan.
MWPV currently houses thirteen (13) operating units across the Philippines.