The CSFWD announced yesterday that PrimeWater won the bid in a process and guidelines set by National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) and Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC). It passed thorough evaluation by the CSFWD’s Joint Venture Selection Committee.
The CSFWD said the JV would pave the way for the increase in local water supply to 2.19 million cubic meters per month from 1.3 million cubic meters and expansion of service to 94,285 concessionaires from 43,918.
It also said that the JV would also increase by less than five percent the water rates starting on the third year subject to the review and approval of LWUA and also reduce non-revenue water supply to 15 percent from 25 percent.
PrimeWater is a wholly-owned Filipino company with more than 30 years in professional water operations. It operates 250 deep wells in various parts of the country, supplying also water to large residential subdivisions. It runs three big bulk water projects in Iloilo, Albay and Zamboanga and has JVs with 13 water districts.
CSFWD said it would remain a government-owned and controlled corporation during the JV, with specific task to monitor the contract implementation.
“Given the capacities and expertise of PrimeWater, we are confident that CSFWD’s 25-year plan worth P2.9 billion will be fully accomplished in support of the City of San Fernando as the business capital of Pampanga and regional capital of Central Luzon,” said Angelo David, chairperson of CSFWD, at the formal launch of the JV last Wednesday.
“We are confident that this private-public partnership will benefi t the people of San Fernando. We have further secured our people’s right to adequate and clean water,” David added.
At present, the CSFWD runs 31 pumping stations and four bulk water providers. Its rate is P185 for every 10 cubic meters since December 2012, reportedly one of the lowest priced in Pampanga.
