Maynilad, Manila Water concession deal extension revocation alarms Poe

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Grace Poe has expressed alarm over the revocation of Maynilad and Manila Water’s concession agreement extension saying it may affect the distribution of water to consumers.

Poe said the eventual halt of the distribution caused by the revocation of the deal may result in water supply loss.

“Ako, pinakanababahala ako ngayon ay ang pagrevoke ng extension contract,” Poe said Wednesday in an ambush interview.

(What alarms me the most is the revocation of the contract’s extension.)

“Dahil kung ‘yun ang mangyayari, alam mo kahit magpatayo tayo ng Wawa Dam, ‘yung treatment facilities n’yan, at saka ‘yung conveyance, ‘yung pagdi-distribute ng tubig sa mga household, sa mga businesses…kapag itinigil ngayon ‘yung distribution process, mawawalan tayo ng tubig ngayon na ire-revoke ‘yan,” she added.

(If that happens, even if we build a Wawa Dam, its treatment facilities and conveyance or distribution of water to households and businesses…if the distribution process is stopped, we won’t have water now that it [extension] is being revoked.)

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) had canceled the deal’s extension to 2037, ending the water firms’ concession in 2022.

“Nirevoke na daw yung extension so hanggang 2022 na lang, so pagdating ng 2022, kung hindi sila ma-extend beyond 2022, lahat ng projects nila in the pipeline, matitigil,” Poe said.

(The extension has been revoked so the deal is only until 2022. When 2022 comes and they are not granted the extension, all their projects in the pipeline will be stopped.)

Maynilad and Manila Water executives earlier said they were open in renegotiation the alleged “onerous” provisions in its contract with the government to distribute water in Metro Manila and its nearby provinces.

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

Edited by MUF