PBBM UNVEILS MAYNILAD’S POBLACION WATER TREATMENT PLANT FOR WATER SECURITY

Maynilad Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan thanked Marcos, Jr., for attending the event and assured that Maynilad was determined to play its part. He discussed the impacts of the three water treatment facilities in Cavite and Parañaque, which provide water to nearly 3.2 million people. Laguna Lake currently produces an astounding 400 million liters of water daily. The facility’s opening allayed concerns of a supply shortage by relocating bulk water sources away from Uncut Dam. Furthermore, Pangilinan reported that Maynilad had made the decision to construct the nation’s first desalination plant in Iloilo City and revealed plans to locate it to the vacant ground adjacent to their power plant. The completion of the desalination plant, with a starting capacity of 65 million liters per day (MLD), before the Injala Urdan, will considerably simplify the process of receiving water. “We hope that if we’re successful in building that desalination plant, we will be able to replicate it in the other island cities in the country. Finally, our deepest thanks go first to your excellency for your support of the water sector and to the many teams who worked devotedly to complete this facility,” he said.

Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Administrator Leonor C. Cleofas emphasized the importance of the whole-of-government approach to infrastructure projects as a reply to Marcos Jr.’s appeal for action addressing the basic value of water. As the quickest infrastructure project intended to lessen the effects of El Niño, the Poblacion WTP represents the administration’s vision and proactiveness. Declaring that MWSS is committed to providing workable solutions for water security, Cleofas stressed the need for business sector cooperation in accomplishing the shared goal of providing everyone with access to clean water and sanitation. Cleofas emphasized that the private sector’s experience and

adaptability, together with the government’s will, are crucial elements of public-private partnerships.

“We at MWSS are committed to delivering tangible water security solutions, and we are grateful for the president’s support in this noble journey. We extend our profound gratitude to the private sector, especially to Maynilad Water Services. Our partners for 26 years, whose unwavering support has been instrumental in partnering with the Philippine government to achieve our shared goal of providing water and sanitation for all,” Cleofas said.

The Php11-billion Poblacion WTP aims to produce 150 MLD at full capacity, serving about one million Maynilad customers in Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, and Cavite. The Poblacion WTP reduces service delays caused by Laguna Lake’s variable raw water quality, which is becoming increasingly visible due to climate change. The modern treatment plant meets the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW) set by the Department of Health by using dissolved air flotation, cloth filters, biological aerated filters, ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, and chlorination.

The project is part of Maynilad 2023–2027 Php220-billion service development plan and is expected to be fully operational this year. The initiative aims to improve climate resilience and water sustainability in response to environmental changes. Maynilad is the Philippines’ largest private water concessionaire and operates under MWSS for the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area. This includes various Cavite and Metro Manila cities. Maynilad operates two treatment facilities in Muntinlupa’s Barangay Putatan. Laguna Lake supplies these facilities with 300 MLD of water for southern consumers. Muntinlupa Mayor Rozzano Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon, DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, and MWSS and Maynilad representatives attended the opening.