Gov’t eyes over $2-B water investments

MANILA, Philippines – Together with the private sector, the government will undertake around $2.3 billion worth of water-related infrastructure projects in the next two years. 

In a presentation on the first day of the 3-day Asia Water Week Summit 2013 on Wednesday, March 13, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Board Chairman Ramon Alikpala said most of the projects will be bid out under the Public-Private Partnership scheme.

The projects include:

• Angat Dam and dyke strengthening – $120 million
• Rehabilitation, operation and maintenance (O&M) of Angat hydropower plant auxilliary turbines 4 and 5 – $27.5 million
• Angat water utilization and aqueduct improvement phase 3 – $100 million to $200 million
• New Centennial Water Source Project – $1.4 billion to $2 billion
• Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project (cost is still being determined)

“All of these projects or bulk of these projects will be bid out within this year but the rest maybe within the next two years,” Alikpala said on the sidelines of the event. 

Alikpala said O&M of the Angat power plant would be bid out in 2013, and the New Centennial Water Source Project toward the end of 2013 or early 2014. 

The PPP Center said 12 firms were keen on bidding for Angat, but only two qualified, including SN Aboitiz Power.  

The New Centennial Water Source Project would involve the development of the Kaliwa Low Dam along Kaliwa River in Quezon.

Other water projects

Alikpala said the two water concessionaires in Metro Manila — Ayala-owned Manila Water Co. Inc. and Pangilinan-led Maynilad Water Services Inc. — intend to undertake wastewater projects.

He said the companies are looking to develop 12 sewage treatment plants (STPs) between 2012 and 2016, and another 37 STPs between 2017 and 2037. 

Maynilad intends to develop 7 STPs by 2016, and another 19 by 2037. Manila Water will develop 5 STPs by 2016, and 18 more by 2037. – Rappler.com