MWC unit widens coverage

Manila Water Co. Inc said its unit Laguna AAA Water Corp. had expanded its service area to include Victoria town, bringing it a step closer to its goal of “universal coverage” in the province by 2019.

Before this, Laguna Water —a joint venture with the provincial government of Laguna—was serving 60 percent of the province’s population. As of 2014, that represents a total of about 900,000 residents in Biñan, Sta. Rosa and Cabuyao.

Besides these, Laguna Water also provides used water services to locators at the Laguna Technopark Inc. complex in Biñan.

In a report to regulators, Manila Water said the Sangguniang Bayan in Victoria approved the inclusion of the town in Laguna Water’s service area.

“The inclusion is pursuant to the amended concession agreement between Laguna Water and the provincial government,” the company said.

Manila Water said the expansion of its market would require the construction of a deep well and treatment facility for water supply, as well the laying of over 14 kilometers of distribution lines.

“Total capital investment is estimated at P 75 million and completion of initial phases is slated for April 2018,” the company said.

Last July, Laguna Water general manager and chief operating officer Melvin Tan said the Ayala group subsidiary has invested a total of P5.3 billion since it started operations eight years ago.

“Our goal is to achieve universal coverage [in Laguna] by 2019,” Tan said. “Our aspiration is to be the third-biggest water service provider in the entire Philippines, which we think is very doable in the next five years.” —RONNEL W. DOMINGO