Despite the supply crisis in its main business, Manila Water Co. Inc. is continuously expanding its footprint away from Metro Manila as it teams up with Tubig Pilipinas Group Inc. to jointly develop and maintain Iloilo City’s water supply system.
Tubig Pilipinas, a subsidiary of Pure Energy Holdings Corp., said in a statement it had signed a joint venture deal with Manila Water Philippines Ventures Inc., as its consortium secured a 25-year franchise from the city.
Under a city ordinance, the consortium will be responsible for the design, construction, operation, maintenance, repairs, improvements and finance of a reliable and adequate water supply system in Metro Iloilo.
“We are looking forward to servicing the people of Metro Iloilo by offering a safe and stable water supply system that can respond to their daily needs,” Tubig Pilipinas president Ryan Yapkianwee said in a statement.
Tubig Pilipinas and Manila Water intend to expand services outside the city to the adjacent towns of Mandurriao, Arevalo, Molo, La Paz, Lapus and Jaro.
Located in the area are the mega townships of Ayala Land and Megaworld, as well as SM Supermall, one of the biggest shopping malls in the Visayas.
Yapkianwee said they were prepared to respond to the expected surge of demand from businesses.
Tubig Pilipinas is already operating in major cities and towns in Pangasinan, Isabela, Cavite and Negros.
Manila Water has water supply contracts in various towns and cities, including joint venture deals with local water districts of llagan City in Isabela province and in Malasiqui, Pangasinan. It also provides water in Bulacan, Pampanga, Laguna, Aklan, Cebu, Davao del Norte and Zamboanga City.