Manila Water increases spending to boost services

Razon-led Manila Water Co. reported a 22 percent increase in capital spending, raising its expenditure to P26.3 billion in 2024 from P21.6 billion the previous year.

The company said on Tuesday that the investment supported the improvement of water and wastewater services for over 9 million customers nationwide.

Last year, Manila Water invested P23.6 billion in the East Zone of Metro Manila and Rizal, accounting for 90 percent of its total capital.

Key projects included P7.6 billion for water supply augmentation, such as the 200 MLD East Bay Phase 2 water treatment plant and the 3.4-kilometer Long Term East 3 Ruhale-Bambang Felix Line.

The company also spent P5.6 billion on the Wawa-Calawis Phase 2 project to provide an additional 518 MLD of water to Antipolo, Teresa, Baras, and parts of Metro Manila.

To enhance wastewater management, Manila Water allocated P1.2 billion to upgrade the East Avenue Sewage Treatment Plant with Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) technology, improve water supply reliability, and maintain shared facilities.

Another P1.5 billion went to the 53-kilometer Mandaluyong-West Sewer Network Project, expected to benefit 700,000 customers in Mandaluyong, San Juan, and Quezon City by 2037 with a 60 MLD sewage treatment plant.

The company also invested P1.2 billion in Rizal’s wastewater services, including the Hinulugang Taktak and San Mateo-Rodriguez Sewerage Systems.

An additional P6.5 billion was spent on wastewater system improvements, such as the Taguig North Sewerage System, Ilugin Sewage Treatment Plant, and BNR technology upgrades.

Outside the East Zone, Manila Water allocated P2.7 billion for non-East Zone operations. This included P1.6 billion for Estate Water and Laguna Water projects, such as the Canlubang Sugar Estate Transmission Line in Laguna, the Alviera Sewer Treatment Plant in Pampanga, and the Cresendo Estate Commercial Cistern Project in Tarlac.

The company also spent P600 million to upgrade Boracay Water’s Manoc-Manoc and Balabag STPs with BNR technology and reassess the Ilagan Water treatment plant project, while another P600 million went to Clark Water’s STP BNR upgrade and other South Luzon projects.

“Manila Water remains steadfast in its commitment to ensure 24/7 water supply in its service areas despite the challenges of climate change and the onset of the summer season where demand is expected to increase,” the company said.