Accord. Gov. Pineda and Metro Pacific Corp. chair Pangilinan (2nd from right) sign MOU with Maynilad president Victorico P. Vargas and Meralco chief operating officer Oscar S. Reyes. Photo by Ric Gonzales
ANGELES CITY – Public- private partnership, the operative phrase in the Aquino administration, found full manifestation Tuesday in a pact between the two foremost Capampangans of the present time.
On the part of government was Gov. Lilia “Nanay Baby” Pineda. On side of the private sector, Manuel V. Pangilinan, chairman, president, CEO of a conglomerate of companies in communications, power and water supply, media, expressways, among others.
Their own kind of PPP, the Pineda-Pangilinan partnership was forged in two memoranda of understanding (MOUs) signed at the Bale Dutung here.
The first is a study of the water resources of the province by Pangilinan’s Maynilad Water Services, specifically on the safety and quality of water and the increasing demand for potable drinking water for the residents as well as for industrial use.
The study likewise seeks to address the depletion of the aquifer as well as the problem of liquefaction that has been noted in some areas in the province.
“While subsequent courses of action will take a longer time to implement once the study is completed, the provincial government has decided to take a pro-active stance by commissioning a feasibility study on additional sources of bulk potable water,” the Pampanga public information office said.
The feasibility of tapping surface water sources like the Pampanga River is said to be also a part of the study which is expected to take all of six months.
The second MOU is for the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) to conduct a three month “full development study” on electric distribution utility in Pampanga.
The study aims to determine the electricity demand, financial, operational, regulatory, legal and market requirements, and the total investment required in improving, upgrading and enhancing the quality of electric service to the end users within the province.
The provincial government had earlier expressed its desire to seek Meralco’s assistance in the preparation of the said development study to help support the progress and economic development of Pampanga and ensure steady, reliable, and efficient electric service to households, commercial and industrial establishments.
Both studies entail no cost to the provincial government and will be fully funded by Maynilad and Meralco.
In her brief remarks at the signing, Pineda paid tribute to Pangilinan for his efforts to “contribute greatly to sustaining the development of Pampanga, borne by his being a Kapampangan.”
Pangilinan is from Apalit town.
For his part, Pangilinan said the province with its ideal location at the crossroad of Northern and Central Luzon as well as its vast resources has all the opportunities for development.
Also present during the MOU signing were Vice Governor Joseller “Yeng” Guiao, the provincial board members, Mayors Oscar Tetangco, Jr. of Apalit, Jerry Pelayo of Candaba, Mylyn P. Cayabyab of Lubao and Yolly Pineda of Sta. Rita, as well as executives of Maynilad and Meralco.
