(FILE) A barangay public safety officer checks leaks on pipes and water meters in Philcoa, Quezon City on Wednesday, December 11, 2019. INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
MANILA, Philippines — After the Senate public services panel on Wednesday tackled the franchise renewal bids of the country’s two biggest water concessionaires, the committee now is awaiting necessary submissions before deciding on the fate of the said applications.
“The Senate Committee on Public Services will have to wait for the submissions we asked for before we ascertain the status of the applications,” Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the panel, said.
“We need to fine-tune the details to make sure that the necessary safeguards are there before the committee members approve it for endorsement to the plenary,” she added.
Poe directed Maynilad and Manila Water to submit to the committee its list of water sources and the timeline of completion of other water sources as well as documents on the capital expenditures of the water firms’ sewer construction.
During the hearing, concerns were also raised on the difference between the expiration of the validity of the revised concession agreement of the water concessionaires which is in 2037, and the proposed extension of their franchise until 2046.
“Paano na lang yan? Baka pagdating sa matters of importance, puro na lang OGCC (Office of the Government Corporate Counsel) ang ipadadala at hindi pa nila alam lahat ng nangyayari. We need to be able to thresh this out before we grant a franchise,” Poe pointed out.
“We want to make sure that there is the certainty of contracts. It’s difficult to change goalposts in the middle of the game. Mahirap kung ‘di natin sinusunod ang mga napagkasunduan natin. Above all, we must take into account the needs of our consumers,” she added.
At the beginning of the hearing, Poe highlighted the necessity of having “access to safe water, sanitation, and hygienic conditions, which she said are essential in protecting the people’s health during the pandemic.”
Considering the ever-increasing population, the senator said water shortage “has always been a threat to health and economy globally” considering the ever-increasing population.
“In the Philippines, the looming water crisis is characterized by constant supply interruption, lack of potable water, and higher water rates,” she added.
“We are already familiar with these two companies at maaaring karamihan sa atin ay customers nila. Therefore, as end-users, we can make a qualified judgment if these applicants are deserving of a franchise,” Poe added.