Ex-MWSS chief admits they tapped consultants to draft concession agreements

MANILA, Philippines — A former Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) administrator admitted Wednesday they were not knowledgeable about the agency’s privatization, prompting them to tap consultants, which includes the World Bank, to draft the concession agreements.

“Who is responsible for the concession agreement? The concession agreement was drafted by our consultants. Kasi nung 1996, wala naman ho kaming alam dahil wala namang privatization sa Pilipinas at in fact, sa buong mundo, medyo bagong bago ho yan,” Angel Lazaro, MWSS chair from October 1995 to August 1997, said during the Senate hearing on the creation of a water agency.

(Who is responsible for the concession agreement? The concession agreement was drafted by our consultants. In 1996, we were not knowledgeable because there was no privatization in the Philippines and in fact, in the whole world. That was new at the time.)

“Kasi hindi naman ako nahihiyang aminin na hindi naman kami marunong talaga kasi wala po talaga, kasi medyo bago ho yun nun nung 1996. Hindi po kami marunong. Ang amin pong consultant is the World Bank,” he added.

(We are not embarrassed to admit that we are not knowledgeable because that was a new concept in 1996. We we’re not knowledgeable. Our consultant was the World Bank.)

Senator Grace Poe, chair of the Senate committee on public services, earlier pressed MWSS on who was responsible for the drafting of the agreements that contained “onerous” agreements, that supposedly favored water concessionaires, Manila Water and Maynilad.

“Doon sa mga kontrata niyo sa mga concessionaires, kasi ang alegasyon ito ay hindi makatarungan para sa ‘ting mga kababayan. Bakit ninyo naisip na ilagay doon ang probisyon doon halimbawa kung sino magdedesisyon pagdating sa mga presyo at kung sino ang mananagot,” Poe asked.

(In your contract with the concessionaires, there were allegations that it was unfair for our people. What were you thinking when you placed in the agreement’s provision, for instance, who will decide on the price and who will be responsible?)

Lazaro said he signed the agreement after it was reviewed by a special advisory group formed by former President Fidel Ramos, approved by MWSS’ Board of Trustees at the time and eventually approved by the then-President.

The Palace earlier claimed government officials helped craft the allegedly “onerous” contract with Manila Water and Maynilad.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier slammed the water concessionaires’ owners, saying they milked billions from the people over the said contract.