Filed Under: Water Supplies, Philippines - Metro

MANILA, Philippines—Metro Pacific-led water concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. said it had completed building the country’s largest triangular reservoir, deemed to be a crucial water infrastructure that would initially benefit over 64,000 existing customers.

In a statement, Maynilad said that the Pagcor reservoir was built along with a pumping station. Located near Macapagal Avenue in Parañaque City, the reservoir has a height of 26 meters, nearly as high as a nine-story building.

Once fully operational, this water facility can provide around 300 million liters per day (MLD) of potable water to customers in Parañaque, Las Piñas, Cavite City and five municipalities of Cavite province.

Initially, the P680-million facility will benefit existing customers in Cavite and Las Piñas. However, once Maynilad’s pipe-laying activities along Aguinaldo Highway and Tirona Road are completed, over 166,000 households more can benefit from it.

“Our new Pagcor pumping station and reservoir is a critical component of Maynilad’s long-term plan to provide reliable and affordable water services to our customers. The facility will help us distribute water to our customers living in the south,” said Maynilad president and CEO Ricky Vargas.

Recently, Maynilad signed a P7-billion loan to partly fund its capital expenditure programs for 2011 and 2012. Aside from improving operational and network efficiency, the capital expenditure programs would also allow Maynilad to meet the company’s service obligations and support growth.

For 2011, Maynilad has allotted more than P8.5 billion for its capital expenditure program. About P3.7 billion will be used to expand its service coverage and improve service levels in its concession area while P2.6 billion has been earmarked for projects that will bring down water loss.

Maynilad is owned and managed by DMCI-MPIC Water Co. Inc., a joint venture between Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and DMCI Holdings Inc.

Maynilad’s concession area covers the cities of Manila (all but portions of San Andres and Sta. Ana), Quezon City (west of San Juan River, West Avenue, Edsa, Congressional, Mindanao Avenue, the northern part starting from the Districts of the Holy Spirit and Batasan Hills), Makati (west of South Super Hi-way), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon, all in Metro Manila; and Cavite City and the towns of Bacoor, Imus, Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario, all in Cavite.

http://business.inquirer.net/money/breakingnews/view/20110407-329900/Maynilad-completes-building-of-water-reservoir-for-3-cities-5-towns