MWSS chief cites Maynilad for enhanced services

Stressing that providing sustainable water and efficient services to Metro Manila residents is a shared responsibility among stakeholders, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) administrator Reynaldo Velasco cited Maynilad Water Services Inc. for its remarkable turnaround after 10 years of reprivatization.

Citing a report from Maynilad president Ramoncito Fernandez at the 1st Korea Water International Water Week, the MWSS chief said the overall service and efficiency levels of Maynilad had dramatically improved.

“Our customer base grew by 94 percent from about 678,000 in 2006 to over 1.3 million in 2016, covering 94 percent of our service area,” Fernandez said.

“From 32 percent, our customers with 24-hour water supply increased to 98 percent. Those who receive their supply at an average pressure of 7 psi (pounds per square inch) also increased from 45 percent to 100 percent. We have also brought down our average NRW (nonrevenue water) level from 68 percent in 2006 to 29.9 percent by the end of last year,” he said.

Fernandez said managing the West concession in Metro Manila had been a challenge, notably from 1997 to 2006 when Maynilad was in bad shape.

When the concession was reprivatized in 2007, the new Maynilad owners faced the task of reviving a financially crippled company.

“That was 10 years ago. Since then, Maynilad was able to swiftly get out of rehabilitation and implement a massive capex program of P65.2 billion, or approximately $1.5 billion, at historical exchange rates,” Fernandez noted.