Major drivers for the increased capital spending of Manila Water in 2021 are water supply security and reliability projects, to help ensure customers continue to enjoy the current water supply experience. One major service reliability project is the construction of the Novaliches-Balara Aqueduct 4 project, which entails the construction of a fourth aqueduct from the La Mesa Dam to the Balara Treatment Plants. Contributed photo
Manila Water concluded 2022 with a total of P20.6 billion budget in capital expenditures (Capex), recording the third consecutive highest Capex for the company, beating 2021 performance by almost P7 billion.
This reaffirms Manila Water’s full commitment to providing safe, reliable, and affordable water access for Filipinos amid the economic downturns brought about by the pandemic-induced domestic inflation.
In terms of expenditure, Manila Water is preparing for the onset of El Niño this year, as noted by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa). Manila Water’s significant investments in creating alternative water sources include the Calawis Water Supply System and the East Bay Ph1 Water Supply System initiatives. The two system initiatives can add 80 MLD and 50 MLD more capacity, respectively.
The Marikina PTP, other deep wells, and other possible contingency and augmentation measures will be further ramped up as a result. Given the peak water demand during the ongoing drought season and the impending El Niño, these initiatives are given the utmost importance because they will reduce dependence on the current water supplies, Angat, La Mesa, and Cardona TP (Laguna Lake).
Along with the projects associated with the two water supply system projects, Manila Water is also preparing the reliability lines through the Novaliches-Balara Aqueduct 4 and the Angat Water Transmission Improvement Project (AWTIP) Tunnel 5 projects to evaluate and fix the existing aqueducts.
Key investments in wastewater have been made to expand wastewater service coverage within the East Zone and to comply with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ environmental protection standards under the Revised General Effluent Standards of 2016 (DAO 2016-08). Manila Water is currently constructing three sewerage treatment plants and sewer networks to serve portions of Mandaluyong, San Juan, Quezon City, Antipolo, San Mateo, and Rodriguez in Rizal, the San Mateo-Rodriguez Sewerage System, the Hinulugang Taktak Sewerage System Project, the Mandaluyong West Sewerage System, and the North and South Pasig Sewerage Systems to name a few.
“To be well-positioned to serve the public even amid the economic challenges, we want to ensure that our capital spending meets both our water supply and sewerage service obligations. After all, it has always been our utmost commitment to provide safe, reliable, and affordable water supply to more than seven million people in the East. This covers more than 1.3 million households and with over 5,000 kilometers of network pipelines,” Manila Water President and Chief Executive Officer JV Emmanuel de Dios said.
“For wastewater, we have invested nearly P40 billion in capital expenditures over more than 20 years and will ramp up our investments in the following years. Presently, wastewater coverage in the East Zone is now over 30 percent of population served, with nearly 400 kilometers of laid sewer network, allowing us to serve over two million Filipinos. This is a significant increase from only three percent coverage when we took over operations from MWSS in 1997. These milestones would not have been possible without MWSS’ support and guidance,” de Dios added.
Manila Water has awarded a total of 103 projects in 2022, propelled by its long-standing partnership with local government agencies and a competent pool of contractors – all in full compliance with international industry standards.
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