CLARK FREEPORT – Here’s the latest forecast from the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA): the New Clark City now rising in Capas, Tarlac will have the lowest water rate in the country.
“Soon-to-be residents and locators of New Clark City will enjoy one of, if not, the lowest water rate in the country of P9.45 per cubic meter, following the awarding of the water and wastewater infrastructure project to a consortium led by Prime Water Infrastructure Corp.
In a statement, the BCDA said it is “set to sign the Joint Venture Agreement on December 17 with the four-member consortium,” as it identified the other three members as Prime Assets Venture, Inc. (PAVI), MGS Construction, Inc., and the TAHAL Group.
The consortium submitted the lowest bid of P9.45 per cubic meter, besting the P11 per cubic meter bid of the Manila Water Company, the BCDA said.
“The P9.45 per cubic meter rate applies to the water supply only. The same amount shall be charged for wastewater services equating to a total rate of P18.90 per cubic meter for the first five years of the 30- year JV period,” it said.
The BCDA noted that “the average basic rates in Metro Manila are around P30 per cubic meter.”
“The water rate in New Clark City is viewed as highly competitive not only when compared against rates for cities in the Philippines, but also in the region and even globally,” it said.
BCDA noted that “the New Clark City, located within the Clark Special Economic Zone, is envisioned to be the first smart, green, and sustainable metropolis in the country.”
It also said that “PrimeWater has over 30 years of proven experience in providing safe and reliable water distribution systems throughout the country. It operates in 124 cities and municipalities from the Cagayan Province in the north to Zamboanga City in the south.”
“Its partner, Israel-based TAHAL, has been delivering worldclass solutions across the fields of water, wastewater, agriculture, solid waste and natural gas for over 60 years,” BCDA also said.
