BIZ BUZZ: MWC-Pangasinan comeback looms

Not even a month after the cancellation of its concession agreement with the provincial government of Pangasinan, Razon-led Manila Water Philippine Ventures (MWPV) is exploring the revival of their partnership.

The company on Monday said it had reached out to the provincial government, saying that both parties “remain open to explore partnership on water supply for the province even after the concession agreement has been deemed mutually terminated at the close of 2023.”

“This presents an opportunity to revisit the conditions precedent of the old contract and renew partnership for the benefit of Pangasinenses,” MWPV, a subsidiary of Manila Water Co. Inc., (MWC) said in a statement.

It can be recalled that the firm announced the termination of their concession agreement on Jan. 3 this year, citing “nonfulfillment of conditions” on the part of the provincial government of Pangasinan.

READ: Manila Water ends supply deal with Pangasinan

MWPV entered into a bulk water supply agreement with Pangasinan back in 2022. The project had an estimated capital expenditure program of P8 billion, and 14 municipalities would have benefited from the deal.

“To support the province’s economic growth, both parties recognize that adequate water infrastructure is vital,” MWPV said.

With the El Niño weather phenomenon casting its ominous shadow on the country, will this urong-sulong from both parties bear fruit for consumers in need of water supply? Abangan! —Meg J. Adonis

PLDT vs cyberthreats

No one is safe from cyberthreats, including telco giant PLDT Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications. Last year, the Pangilinan-led companies blocked 16 billion digital attacks—a staggering 9,000-percent increase from 182 million in 2022—against them.

The PLDT Group said it was foiling more than a billion attacks monthly for most of last year, especially during the holidays.

“Cyber-attacks surge during holidays because that’s when people are distracted by the festivities. But for us, that’s when we are at the highest alert level,” PLDT and Smart chief information security officer Angel Redoble said.

READ: Scammers target online holiday shoppers

Redoble assured they’re always ready to fend off the attempts to breach their networks and assets.

The PLDT Group said they always train their cybersecurity agents and upgrade the tools to strengthen defenses.

“We are always on our toes, and we continue to beef up our capabilities,” Redoble said. — Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

Schneider looks for new partners

Energy management and digital solutions provider Schneider Electric wants to forge more partnerships this year under its energy efficiency and sustainability campaign.

Schneider, through the so-called Internet of Things (IoT), a network that connects digital and physical objects to the internet to enable remote monitoring and control, is expected to help businesses achieve “better agility, optimized asset performance management, energy efficiency and cybersecurity.”

“We’re working on partnering with more stakeholders this year as we strengthen our commitment to youth, education and sustainability,” Schneider said. “By working with different key stakeholders, we aim to help in bolstering the short-term and long-term economic growth potential of the Philippines.”

The France-based company has so far partnered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority and Department of Science and Technology.

It likewise committed to continue its work with the government to aid in digital transformation in the local manufacturing sector.

Schneider presently has more than 100 partners in East Asia, mostly from the manufacturing, construction, industrial and data center sectors. —Meg J. Adonis