Maynilad invested P23B, created 87,000 jobs in four years

MANILA, Philippines — Maynilad Water Services, Inc., the private water concessionaire for the west zone, has spent close to P23 billion and generated roughly 87,000 jobs within four years’ time since the new owners took over the company.

In a statement, Maynilad said Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and DMCI Holdings Inc. have invested much to improve the water distribution system in the west zone, by replacing old pipes, upgrading water facilities, expanding further the distribution network, and developing new water sources.

Consequently, this required the employment of nearly 87,000 people, including those hired by contractors and suppliers that relied on Maynilad as their major client.

“This is one of the ways we contribute to nation building. We provide safe drinking water to our customers, stimulate the economy by supplying reliable and affordable water, and generate job opportunities through our infrastructure projects,” said Maynilad president and CEO Ricky Vargas.

For 2011 alone, Maynilad has allotted approximately P10.5 billion for its capital expenditures.

Of this amount, about P5.2 billion will be used to expand Maynilad’s service coverage and improve service levels in its concession area. The company will reinforce and replace its primary pipelines, and complete pipelaying projects along the Alabang-Zapote road and Gen. Tirona highway, which would connect unserved customers in the south.

Another P2.6 billion would be set aside for Maynilad’s non-revenue water (NRW) management program, which includes active leak management, NRW diagnostic, and the establishment, isolation, measurement and rehabilitation of District Metered Areas (DMA) all over the West Zone.

Roughly P2.3 billion will go to Maynilad’s wastewater program, which will see the construction of 11 sewage treatment plants within this year.

Other items in the 2011 capital expenditures budget include water sources, water production, natural calamity mitigation and other projects.

Maynilad is currently the largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines in terms of customer base.

It serves portions of the cities of Manila, Quezon City, Makati. Caloocan, Pasay, Paranaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon all in Metro Manila; Cavite City, and the towns of Bacoor, Imus, Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario, all in Cavite province.